Shimabara Castle isn't very big. At first glance, it looks like a small, elegant castle. The current keep was also rebuilt later, but I think the overall design is quite stylish and looks great in photos. After climbing to the top floor of the keep, the view was surprisingly good, and you can see almost the entire city of Shimabara. The exhibits provide a fairly comprehensive introduction to the area's history, especially the arrival of Christianity and the Shimabara Rebellion. I didn't realize how many stories this area had until I saw them.
Getting there is also fairly easy. It's about a 10-minute walk from Shimabara Station. But it's a little more inconvenient if you're coming from Shimabara Port, since the bus schedule can sometimes be really frustrating. If you arrive by ferry at Shimabara Port, I'd recommend taking a taxi. It saves time and keeps you from waiting around for the bus.
Overall, Shimabara Castle may be small, but it's not just a place where you walk around, take some photos, and leave. The historical exhibits inside are actually worth taking some time to explore.
