Shimabara Castle

Built in 1625 by lord Matsukura Shigemasa, who raised taxes so heavily to fund its construction that the resulting misery helped spark the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637. The castle survived that uprising, but its builder's son was executed for his cruelty. The current ferro-concrete reconstruction dates from 1964 and houses a museum covering the region's Christian history, including fumi-e trampling tablets used to identify believers. The third floor displays Matsudaira family samurai armor, and the rooftop gives views of the sea and mountains.