Highlights of Lockheart Castle
A Medieval European Townscape
The grounds of Lockheart Castle are filled with stone buildings, gardens, a church, and other structures designed to evoke a medieval European town.
Simply walking through the grounds can give visitors the feeling of being overseas, and the picturesque scenery provides numerous opportunities for photography.
The castle exterior, plazas, and surrounding buildings have also frequently been used as locations for movies and television dramas. Visitors may recognize scenery that they have seen on screen.
Gallery Shop
Inside the castle is a Gallery Shop offering a selection of goods imported directly from Europe.
The shop features medieval-inspired interior accessories, antique-style items, and other distinctive products. Modern bisque dolls, Italian ceramic figurines, and tableware are among the popular items, allowing visitors to take home souvenirs reflecting European artistic traditions and design.
Stone Shop Experience
The Stone Shop is a popular hands-on attraction where visitors can create their own original accessories using natural stones.
Guests can choose their favorite stones and colors and make a unique bracelet to take home as a personal souvenir of their trip.
The activity is simple enough for children to enjoy, making it particularly popular with families.
World Santa Museum
The World Santa Museum, located inside Lockheart Castle, displays a large collection of Santa Claus figures collected over many years by Japanese actor Masahiko Tsugawa.
The collection contains more than 1,100 Santa Claus figures, representing a wide variety of designs influenced by the cultures and traditions of different countries.
Visitors can compare the different appearances of Santa Claus from regions such as Europe, North America, and Scandinavia. The collection offers an interesting look at how a familiar Christmas figure has been interpreted in different cultures and can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
World Castle Library
The castle also contains the World Castle Library, which houses approximately 1,000 books about castles around the world.
The collection includes valuable reference materials on European castle history and architectural styles, making the library an appealing destination for visitors interested in history and architecture.
There is also a substantial collection of books about Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scottish novelist and poet. The library therefore offers an opportunity to explore both the literary and historical heritage associated with castles and Scotland.
St. Lawrence Church
A Romantic European-Style Church
St. Lawrence Church stands within the castle grounds and takes its name from Lawrence Lockheart, a member of the Lockheart family.
The church features antique stained glass dating from the 18th century. When sunlight passes through the colorful glass, the interior is filled with beautiful light, creating a peaceful and solemn atmosphere reminiscent of a historic European church.
The church is also used as a wedding venue. Its romantic architecture and stained-glass windows provide a memorable setting for couples wishing to hold their wedding in a European-style environment.
The Perfume Room and Sign Gallery
The Perfume Room
The castle contains a special exhibition room known as the Perfume Room, where more than 1,000 perfumes from around the world are displayed.
Collections from countries with long-established perfume traditions, including France and Italy, introduce visitors to the history and cultural significance of fragrance.
Sign Gallery
Because Lockheart Castle has been used as a filming location for numerous television dramas, movies, and music videos, the castle also has a Sign Gallery.
The gallery displays autographs from more than 700 actors, musicians, and other well-known personalities who have visited the castle. Scripts and other materials connected with filming are also displayed, making this an interesting stop for fans of Japanese entertainment.
Teddy’s House
Teddy’s House displays approximately 200 teddy bears collected from overseas.
The collection includes teddy bears from different periods and with a wide variety of designs. The charming exhibition creates a warm and playful atmosphere that appeals to both children and adults.
Lockheart Castle as a Filming Location
The castle’s beautiful European-style architecture and picturesque grounds have made it a popular location for Japanese television dramas, movies, and music videos.
The castle was featured in the television drama Aibou in the first episode of Season 4, titled The Lord’s Castle. Masahiko Tsugawa, who served as the castle’s honorary lord, also appeared in the production.
The grounds have also been used for music videos by artists including AKB48 and GIRL NEXT DOOR, adding to the castle’s connection with Japanese popular culture.
A “Lover’s Sanctuary”
Lockheart Castle has been designated a “Lover’s Sanctuary” by the Regional Revitalization Support Center, an organization that promotes romantic destinations throughout Japan.
The grounds contain several attractions designed for couples, including the Spring Bell and the Lovers’ Fountain.
The Spring Bell is located on a tower approximately 20 meters high. According to local tradition, couples who ring the bell together while making a declaration of their love are blessed with a lasting relationship.
Another romantic legend says that drinking water from the Lovers’ Fountain can bring new love into one’s life.
Restaurants and Cafés
Big Heart
Big Heart is a semicircular outdoor restaurant located in front of Lockheart Castle.
Guests can enjoy a meal while looking directly toward the castle. The menu includes hearty dishes such as spicy roast Yamato pork and long sausage curry, making it a convenient place to stop for lunch or a casual meal during a visit.
Café Patricia
Patricia is an open-air café terrace where visitors can relax in a spacious outdoor setting.
Pets are welcome, making the café a popular place for visitors traveling with their dogs. Belgian waffles and homemade scones are among the popular sweets, providing a pleasant break while exploring the castle grounds.
The History of Lockheart Castle
A Castle Originally Built in Scotland
The original Lockheart Castle was built in 1829 in Carluke, in South Lanarkshire, southern Scotland. It was commissioned by William Lockheart, a member of a distinguished Scottish aristocratic family.
The building was originally known as Milton Lockheart House and was constructed as a country house, or aristocratic residence. The three-story building also has a basement and was constructed using approximately 3,200 tons of sandstone.
Its architecture reflects the European architectural traditions of the early 19th century, with substantial stone walls and elegant decorative features. The building was preserved as an important part of the history and heritage of the Lockheart family.
The Legend of the Lockheart Family
According to family tradition, the ancestors of the Lockheart family included Simon Locard, a knight who served Robert the Bruce, the famous Scottish king and national hero.
According to legend, when King Robert the Bruce died, he expressed a wish for his heart to be taken to the Holy Land. Simon Locard is said to have accepted this mission and set out on the journey carrying the king’s heart.
The story is traditionally associated with the family’s later adoption of the name Lockheart. The family’s coat of arms is said to feature a heart surrounded by keys, symbolizing “lock” and “heart.” This imagery remains one of the symbols associated with Lockheart Castle today.
The Castle’s Journey to Japan
Purchased by Actor Masahiko Tsugawa
The story of how Lockheart Castle came to Japan is closely connected with Japanese actor Masahiko Tsugawa.
In 1987, Tsugawa purchased the historic building and developed an ambitious plan to dismantle it, transport it to Japan, and reconstruct it there.
The original plan called for the castle to become the centerpiece of Santa Ai Land, a leisure facility planned in Hiroo, Hokkaido.
Dismantling began in 1988. The individual stones and other building materials were carefully removed so that they could be transported to Japan and reused in the reconstruction.
Approximately 600 tons of dismantled stone were packed into 30 shipping containers and transported from Europe to Japan via the Trans-Siberian Railway. The ambitious transportation project attracted considerable attention at the time.
Reconstructed in Gunma
The planned development in Hokkaido was ultimately not realized because of financial and other difficulties, leaving the dismantled castle without a permanent home for several years.
In 1992, the castle was purchased by Sanpo Co., Ltd., a company based in Numata, Gunma Prefecture. A new plan was then developed to reconstruct it at the Marble Village tourist complex being built in Takayama Village.
The reconstruction cost approximately ¥1.5 billion and involved a total of around 15,000 workers.
On April 6, 1993, the reconstruction was completed, creating what is described as Japan’s first full-scale relocation and reconstruction of a European castle building.
The Reconstructed Castle
The reconstructed Lockheart Castle stands approximately 20 meters high, measuring 31.3 meters wide and 22.3 meters deep. Its building footprint covers approximately 1,361 square meters.
The scale and authenticity of the building allow visitors to experience the atmosphere of a genuine European historic residence while remaining in Japan.
Masahiko Tsugawa became the castle’s honorary lord, and his extensive collection of Santa Claus figures was later displayed in the World Santa Museum within the castle.
A European Castle Experience in Gunma
Marble Village Lockheart Castle is a distinctive attraction with a remarkable history. The authentic castle building was dismantled in Scotland, transported over thousands of kilometers, and carefully reconstructed in Gunma.
Today, the castle is surrounded by European-style streetscapes, historic exhibitions, gardens, a church, cafés, restaurants, shops, and hands-on activities.
Visitors can explore the history of the castle, discover international collections such as Santa Claus figures and perfumes, create their own natural-stone accessories, or simply enjoy photographing the romantic architecture and gardens.
The site is also appealing to couples, families, architecture enthusiasts, history lovers, and fans of Japanese movies and television dramas.
For travelers exploring Gunma Prefecture, Lockheart Castle offers a rare opportunity to encounter the atmosphere of a European castle and its surrounding townscape in the Japanese countryside.