Kaneda Castle

Kaneda Castle is the oldest major structure in Tsushima, formerly a military base and currently a museum.

The castle was constructed in 663 during the very beginning of the Anaheka Period following the Battle of Baekgang, to act as the first line of defense against a Tang Dynasty attack. It was built in a Korean style. After some time the castle was abandoned by the main Japanese government, and it was used as a garrison by the local retinue. It was used as an administrative center by the Abiru Clan and later the Shoni Clan while they ruled the island, acting as the de facto capitol.

In the Mongol Invasion of Tsushima and Jeju, Sokhor Shinghkhor supposedly, according to local legend, stormed the castle himself and led to the conquest of the island. Its purpose as the administrative center was retained during the Sokhor Empire and later the Empire of the Straits, being filled with treasure looted during the raids of the Wokou.

In the Dutch colonization of Tsushima and Jeju, the fortress was badly damaged, and some parts remain abandoned to this day. The administrative center was moved to the Stadshuis (which remains the national capitol), and along with it many artifacts. In 1679, part of Kaneda Castle was restored and absorbed into Fort Jan Steen, located adjacent to it but nevertheless a separate structure.

Following the Handover of Tsushima and Jeju, Kaneda Castle was used as a secondary garrison by the Imperial Japanese Army to complement Fort Jan Steen. There was an proposal to establish a naval base for the castle, but it was abandoned in favor of using the existing port. During the Russo-Japanese War, Kaneda Castle was outfitted with gun batteries to defend the island.

After World War II, the new government of the Republic of Tsushima declared Kaneda Castle to be a National Site of Historic Importance and began renovation works. Due to the Korean War Refugee Crisis, however, this was put on hold; efforts would restart following the end of the crisis, though some areas would not resume work. In 1970, Kaneda Castle was converted to a museum; it was declared that the areas that were not already reconstructed would remain as-is to "preserve the natural beauty of the area".