Obi Castle

After Hideyoshi Toyotomi defeated the occupying Shimazu clan, Obi Castle was given back to the allied Itoh clan in 1587. Before Toyotomi's reign, the Obi Castle building was taken over multiple times, due to the constant warring between the Shimazu and Itoh clans.  As a result, the original castle building has been rebuilt and refurbished to preserve the remaining structures. The castle gates were restored using local 100-year-old Obi cedarwood, adding a rustic flair to the ruins. To soak in the atmosphere of the old castle town, you can hop onto one of the jinrikisha rickshaw drivers who will take you on a tour around the neighborhood, old-school style.

Sometimes referred to as "Little Kyoto", Obi Castle Town also has much to offer in terms of historical sites. Visitors can learn more about the city's samurai past from any of the seven museums and preserved residences. An all-in-one ticket is available for visitors who wish to visit all of the attractions and is highly recommended as it helps save over half the cost should you pay for admission to each facility separately. The seven historical sites include the Matsu no Maru, Obi Clan Historical Museum, Merchant Museum, Komura Memorial Hall, Yamamoto residence, Takahashi Residence, and Yoshokan.