Perhaps, as we stand here near Najima Exit, you might wonder about the history hidden beneath the modern cityscape. Najima Exit is more than just a connection to the highway. It is a place touched by centuries of stories.
Let’s journey back to the 3rd century. Legend says Empress Jingu’s army embarked from Najima. They sailed to Southern Korea for a three-year battle. Upon her victorious return, Jingu founded Najima Shrine. It honored the goddesses of maritime transport. Imagine the scene: soldiers gathered, ships prepared, a departure point for legends.
Centuries later, in 1587, Kobayakawa Takakage built Najima Castle here. He was rewarded with Chikuzen and other provinces. Toyotomi Hideyoshi appointed him lord. Najima’s location was strategic. It sat north of the Tatara River. Hakata Bay surrounded it on three sides making it a perfect defense.
Hideyoshi himself used Najima as a stopover. He traveled to Hizen Nagoya Castle during the Imjin War. The castle became a vital supply base. Picture Hideyoshi arriving here. Imagine the bustling activity supporting the war effort.
Kobayakawa later passed Najima to his adopted son, Hideaki, in 1595. Hideaki moved away after the Battle of Sekigahara. Kuroda Nagamasa took his place. However, Kuroda desired more space. He began building Fukuoka Castle in 1601.
Najima Castle then met its end. It became a donor of stone and structures for Fukuoka Castle. The castle was abandoned. Relics of Najima Castle still exist today. Gates can be found in Soshoji Temple. Other gates reside within Fukuoka Castle and Sofukuji Temple. These remnants tell tales of a castle long gone.
In the 20th century, Najima transformed again. An electric power station and sea plane base were built. This was just before the Second World War. However, landfill changed the landscape. The island and seaplane base disappeared. Apartment blocks replaced the power station.
Today, little remains of Najima Castle. The green space looks out over Fukuoka. The castle must have conceded to concrete. It became a refuge for reclaimed nature.
So, as we stand near Najima Exit, remember its layered past. From Empress Jingu to Kobayakawa Takakage, Najima has witnessed history. It has transformed over centuries. It connects us to stories of emperors, lords, and warriors.