In Nakatsu, castle walls, historical collections, and an entire temple district tell different chapters of the city’s history. There are also places connected to the life of Fukuzawa Yukichi, as well as a unique glimpse into the history of medicine and Dutch learning. You can tailor your discoveries to what interests you most: architectural landmarks, personal stories, or historical objects.

Castle Town History Told Through Walls and Collections

The history of Nakatsu Castle began when it was built by Kuroda Yoshitaka, also known as Josui, at the mouth of the Yamaguni River. Historical materials from the Okudaira family are displayed in the keep. These include clothing, swords, military equipment, old maps, and historical documents. The variety of items offers several concrete points of connection to the castle’s history, from everyday objects to written records.

At the Nakatsu City History Museum, you can explore the architectural side of this history: one entire side of the building is made of glass, offering a view of the stone walls of the castle built by Kuroda Kanbei, considered the oldest early modern castle in Kyushu. The same museum’s Stone Wall Theater shows how the castle town of Nakatsu came into being on a large screen. The visible stone walls and the depiction of the town’s development offer different perspectives: the surviving structure on one hand and the story of its origins on the other.

Teramachi: The Former Castle Town in the Streetscape

Teramachi, a district of the castle town of Nakatsu, is home to twelve temples. The main street is paved with a surface resembling stone paving, and the arrangement of the temples lined up along it evokes the former castle town. Rather than focusing on a single collection, the view here centers on the interplay between the street and the temples. If you are interested in historic urban layouts, Teramachi offers a different perspective from the castle exhibitions.

Fukuzawa Yukichi and His Life Story

The former residence of Fukuzawa Yukichi preserves the house where he spent his childhood and youth, up until his study stay in Nagasaki. One of the surviving features is an earthen storehouse that Fukuzawa had converted into a study room. Here, his early life is connected to a specific space that he used for studying.

The Fukuzawa Memorial Museum complements this biographical perspective with writings, letters, and photographs of Fukuzawa Yukichi. It also displays writings by his father, Hyakusuke, materials related to people in Fukuzawa’s circle, and the first 10,000-yen banknote, with serial number A000001B. The former residence and the museum therefore have different focuses: the house represents his early years, while the collection presents written and visual records, along with people connected to him.

Another Perspective on Science and Medicine

The Oe Medical History Museum is housed around the former residence of the Oe family and their materials. Its permanent exhibits include materials on Dutch learning and medicine, including the work “Kaitai Shinsho.” This focus complements the themes of the castle town and Fukuzawa with a distinct perspective on the history of science and medicine. You can choose where to visit based on whether you would like to explore architectural history, biographies, or historical fields of knowledge in greater depth.

Hamo Dishes in the Castle Town

Cuisine is another part of what you can discover in Nakatsu: restaurants in the castle town area serve a variety of hamo dishes.

Discover more destinations: Bungo-Takada, Saiki, Tsukumi, Taketa, Beppu, Hita, Ōita, Kusu District.

For the broader travel guide: Ōita Prefecture.