It took place in March 1877, on the island of Kyushu, Japan, concurrently to the Siege of Kumamoto Castle.

The Battle of Tabaruzaka began on March 3, 1877 when troops loyal to the Imperial Meiji government seeking to break the Siege of Kumamoto Castle met rebel Satsuma samurai forces seeking to capture the main road out of Kumamoto.

[2] Skirmishes occurred for the first of several days of the battle, as both sides continued to bring additional support troops to the area.

The first days of the battle were marked by heavy rain, which hampered the rebel's ability to resupply.

[2] This number included future Prime Minister of Japan Terauchi Masatake, who was maimed in the course of the battle and lost his right hand.