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Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada
The Ito clan ruled the Obi domain from here for about 280 years from 1588, and the town has been a preserved district for traditional buildings since 1977. The Otemon gate was rebuilt in 1978; behind it, mossy stone walls, a cedar grove on the old keep site, and lanes of samurai houses. Yoshokan, where the last lord lived from 1869, has one of the finest gardens in Kyushu by the city’s account.
Three things the plaques won't tell you
- Buy the food-walk ticket at the ticket office in the tourist car park or at Nichinan-ya in JR Obi Station.
- The six houses are open 09:30–17:00, last entry 16:30, and close 29–31 December (Nichinan tourist association).
- JR Obi Station hires bicycles, ¥500 a day, 07:30–17:30.
Yoshokan, where the last lord lived from 1869, has one of the finest gardens in Kyushu by the city’s account.
The picks
Questions people ask here
Can I take the train from the cruise port to Obi?
Yes, from JR Aburatsu Station, 3.4 km from the quay: trains at 08:53 and 10:59, then 14:50, take 9 minutes and cost ¥270. Back from Obi at 09:50, 13:14, 15:00 or 16:00. The gate is 15 minutes on foot from Obi Station.
How much does it cost to visit Obi Castle?
The castle grounds and lanes are free. Six old houses and museums cost ¥300 each or ¥800 on the combined ticket; the Ayumi-chan food-walk ticket is ¥1,600 with all six and five snack vouchers.