Visit places related to Murakami pirates
Introducing places related to Murakami pirates, such as “Innoshima Suigun Castle,” which exhibits weapons and armor used by Murakami pirates, and “Mt. Shirataki” where a lookout post was built. There are many spots that Murakami pirates fans should visit at least once, such as the “Oyamazumi Shrine,” which was worshipped by the Murakami pirates, and the “Nojima Castle Ruins” where the activities of the Nojima Murakami clan are remembered.
National Park Takamiyama, where there was the pirate's watchtower (Mukaijima)
Think about the same scenery seen by pirates
Mt. Takami at an altitude of 283m. The view from the summit is wonderful. It is a national park where you can overlook the islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea. On sunny days, you can see the Shikoku Mountains across the sea, and it is also known that there was a watchtower for the Murakami pirates. You may be able to see the same scenery as the majestic Seto Inland Sea that pirates hoped for in the past.
Pirate armor and helmet are on display! “Innoshima Suigun Castle” (Innoshima)
A museum full of naval history and romance
A castle-shaped naval museum, which is rare even in Japan. It is a valuable facility where you can feel the old days of the Innoshima Murakami family, who was active in the Seto Inland Sea. Many items related to the Murakami pirates are on display, such as documents handed down by the Murakami family, models of naval ships, inherited swords, naval flags, armor, etc. The remains of the dreams of the brave sea warlords are remembered. Near “Innoshima Suigun Castle” there is also the family temple “Konrenji” of Murakami pirates.
A superb view point where you can overlook 360 degrees! “Mt. Shirataki and the 500 Arhats” (Innoshima)
Enjoy the beauty of the archipelago at the lookout
“Kannon-do” was built as a watchhouse when Mr. Yoshimitsu Murakami, the sixth head of the Innoshima Murakami family, built Aoki Castle on Mt. Shirataki.
About 700 stone Buddha groups are lined up between the Deva Gate and the summit of the mountain. The scenery of the beautiful islands spreading in the background of the Stone Buddhas of the 500 Arhats is amazing. Below you can see the Innoshima Ohashi Bridge connecting the islands. It is also known as a sunset viewing spot, where you can enjoy the golden scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
“Oyamazumi Shrine,” which gathered pirate beliefs (Omishima/Ehime Prefecture)
There are also valuable important cultural properties in the treasure hall
It is called Nihon Sou-chinju, and it is a shrine with more than 10,000 branch shrines nationwide. There is a sacred tree called “Okusunoki” which is about 2600 years old in the precincts.
At that time, it is said that the pirates worshiped “Oyamazumi Shrine”, which has a solemn atmosphere in the precincts, as a guardian god, and prayed for the safety of military fortune and maritime traffic. The fact that the Kurushima Murakami family uses the sacred crest of “Oyamazumi Shrine” as the crest “three characters in the originals”, also shows a deep connection with the Murakami pirates.
Experience the charm of pirates! “Murakami Suigun Museum” (Oshima/Ehime Prefecture)
A museum where you can enjoy visiting
A museum that exhibits valuable items of the Nojima Murakami family. From the observation deck, you can see the “Noshima Castle Ruins,” known as the sea castle, and the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
There is a video corner and an experience room in the hall, so anyone from adults to children can easily understand and experience the life of the Murakami pirates.
“Noshima Castle Ruins” known as a natural fortress (Oshima/Ehime Prefecture)
A maritime navy castle where the entire island was fortified
Nojima (National Historic Site), which floats between Oshima and Ushima, has the ruins of Noshima Castle where the Noshima Murakami family resided.
There is a violent current around the island, and Noshima Castle is a typical sea castle that was said to be a natural fortress. Even now, there are countless pillars on the island that are believed to have been used for hiding boat and mooring.
Noshima Castle is also famous as the setting for the novel “Murakami Pirate's Daughter”. Normally, you can only go around the island by experiencing the tide, but you can also make landfall during the two days when there is a cherry blossom festival.
【Featured Column】The wonders of nature that the Murakami pirates tasted! Tide fluid experiment
The area around Noshima is a difficult place in the ocean where a current of up to 10 knots (about 18 km/h) swirls. We recommend experiencing the tidal currents that advance while making violent sounds and splashes of waves in this area. The cruise experience while immersed in historical romance at the place where the Murakami pirates played an active role is exceptional.
After leaving the Murakami Suigun Museum, it is an fun moment : take the boat and see lands from “Noshima Castle Ruins” past “Funaori Seto” to “Michikajima Island” and “Hakata Oshima Bridge”.
