A Special Experience of Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch Culture at the “Western Capital of Firando,” a Hub of International Exchange During the Age of Discovery

Experience gastronomy at a feudal lord’s garden in Hirado, which makes the most of its rich history, along with a workation at one of Japan’s top 100 castles and special programs in the old castle town

1. The Hirado Kaido, the historic road used by the feudal lord of Hirado during the Edo period during his travels to Edo, is still carefully preserved between Hirado and Sasebo in Nagasaki prefecture. In this special experience at the Hirado Domain State Guesthouse, you will travel along the Hirado Kaido by Matsura Railway, where you can sample local sake from breweries along the route, enjoy Hirado’s specialty ago dried fish, and indulge in regional sweets. The journey concludes with a visit to Seikaen, the Hirado Domain State Guesthouse located on Hirado Island.
2. The Seikaen garden, which served as the state guesthouse of the Hirado Domain during the Edo period, was landscaped between 1810 and 1829 by Matsura Hiromu, the 35th lord of the Matsura family of Hirado. This feudal lord’s garden was designed as a place for composing waka poetry, admiring the landscape, and seeking relaxation during breaks from administrative duties. Seikaen will be specially utilized as a venue for a unique gastronomy experience, transforming into a limited-time restaurant for this occasion.
3. Hirado in Nagasaki Prefecture is Japan's oldest international trading port. Through trade with Western countries, sugar was introduced to Hirado, bringing with it the recipes for Nanban sweets such as castella and casdoce. In the old Hirado castle town, the streets will be transformed into a vibrant yellow inspired by castella, and you can enjoy a buffet featuring a variety of castella gathered from all over Japan.
4. From Hirado Castle, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the vast ocean, dotted with small islands, offering a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. As part of a wellness tourism experience, facilities for castle saunas and castle workations will be set up within Hirado Castle, allowing you to relax both mind and body.