# Kitsuki Castle Town

> Kitsuki is a remarkably well-preserved castle town perched on a small peninsula between two rivers, known as the smallest castle town in Japan.

- Prefecture: Oita
- Type: Historic site
- Address: Kitsuki, Oita, Japan
- Admission: Free
- Official site: https://kit-suki.com/en/

Kitsuki is one of the best-preserved castle towns in Japan, uniquely situated on a narrow plateau between the mouths of the Yasaka and Takayama rivers on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture. The town's distinctive sandwiched layout features samurai residences on the northern and southern hilltops with a merchant quarter in the valley between them, a pattern found nowhere else in Japan. Visitors can walk through immaculately maintained samurai districts where whitewashed walls and thatched-roof gates line steep stone-paved slopes. Kitsuki Castle, originally built in 1394, sits on a hill at the eastern end of town with views across Beppu Bay. The town encourages visitors to rent kimono and stroll through the atmospheric streets, offering discounted entry to historic houses for those dressed in traditional attire.

## FAQ

### How do I get to Kitsuki Castle Town from Beppu?

Take the JR Nippo Line from Beppu to Kitsuki Station, which takes about 30 minutes. The town center is a short distance away, so transfer to a local bus for the roughly 10-minute ride.

### What is special about Kitsuki Castle Town?

It is a "sandwich castle town": two samurai districts sit on hills with a merchant street in the valley between them, linked by sloped stone lanes such as Suya-no-saka and Shioya-no-saka. It also has Kitsuki Castle, said to be Japan's smallest castle.

### How much do the sites cost, and is there a kimono discount?

Kitsuki Castle costs ¥400, and a joint ticket for the samurai houses is around ¥1,200. If you rent and wear a kimono, many of the paid sites become free, so renting one can save money.

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Source: Kitsuki Castle Town — Japan Voyage