Shimabara Castle is often mistaken as the site of the Shimabara Rebellion (1637-8). The rebellion actually took place at Hara Castle (now in ruins near Hara-jo Station on the Shimabara Railway) in the southern part of Shimabara Peninsula.
However, the Shimabara Rebellion was sparked by the construction of Shimabara Castle when the local people were charged high taxes to finance the construction.