We have seen quite a couple of beautiful majestic Japanese castles in my Today’s Japan Photo series. If you have fallen for them and would wish to live in one yourself, then here’s the chance because a castle in Oita Prefecture is being put up for sale.

Nakatsu Castle 中津城 is located in the heart of Nakatsu city, located in Oita prefecture, in western Japan.

The castle, a 14-minute walk from the nearest train station and just minutes away from the Sea of Japan coastline, features 5.7 acres of land bordered by a traditional stone wall and moat, with a five-story, steel-framed building. Built in 1964, the current building is a replica of the original castle, constructed in 1588.

Masayuki Okudaira, descendant of the daimyo (feudal rulers) of the castle during the end of the Edo era and Meiji Restoration, decided to sell the castle because the local government had pressured him to let go of the building for a very low price.

Mr. Okudaira declined to disclose the selling price, but a third-party real-estate assessment valued the castle at 196 million yen, or $2.3 million. Ten people have already shown interest in buying the castle, Mr. Okudaira said.

In Japan, primitive forms of castles have existed roughly since the 7th century, when the Emperor ordered a fort built to protect an administrative part of the government in Dazaifu City, in southern Japan. The ornate towers usually associated with the word “castle” appeared during the 16th century.

Currently, only a dozen Japanese castles remain in their original Edo-era forms, including Himeji Castle in Hyogo, said to be the most beautiful and often compared to a white heron.

Source: Wall Street Journal

If I had that kind of money, I would relocate my own company into a castle. Then I would make my employees dress up like Samurais and Geishas while they go about their work. Of course I would be the daimyo of the castle XD Muahahha