16 Castles in Fukushima worth your time

A former administrative seat turned government office site, featuring surviving garden landscapes and historic moat embankments in Fukushima City.

What it is

• A flatland castle site that served as the administrative center for the Fukushima Domain.
• Renamed Fukushima Castle around 1592 by Kimura Yoshikiyo after being called Daibutsu Castle.
• The site currently houses the Fukushima Prefectural Government Office buildings.
• Ruled by the Itakura clan for approximately 170 years until the Boshin War.

What to see

• Momijiyama Park marks the original location of the former castle garden.
• Remnants of the inner moat embankments are still visible on the grounds.
• Natural moats formed by the nearby Abukuma and Ara Rivers.
• Excavated artifacts on display dating back to the ancient Kofun period.

Read more about Fukushima Castle

This park, once a castle, offers historical structures, gardens, and panoramic views of Nihonmatsu.

What it is

• Former Nihonmatsu Castle, stood from 1414 to 1868.
• Now Kasumigajo Castle Park, planted with flowers and trees.
• Ruled by Niwa Mitsushige and descendants from 1643.

What to see

• Preserved and reconstructed walls, buildings, and gardens.
• Honmaru (main compound) with stone walls, some from late 16th century.
• Tenshudai (keep foundation) offers panoramic views.
• Senshintei tea house, oldest surviving structure.
• Recreated Minowa Gate.
• Japanese-style garden from mid-17th century.

When to go

• Chrysanthemum Festival, with dolls covered in flowers.
• Lantern Festival, with parade starting at Minowa Gate.

Official site

www.nihonmatsu-ed.jp

Read more about Nihonmatsu Castle

Explore the historic remains of a flatland castle, including original walls and earthworks.

What it is

• A flatland castle, also known as Ryugajo Castle.
• Construction ordered in 1602 by Torii Tadamasa.
• Built between 1603 and 1615.
• Destroyed by fire in 1868 during the Boshin War.

What to see

• Designated historic site with original stone walls.
• Remains include earthworks and a water moat.
• A 13-meter-high sign resembles the former three-story turret.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Iwaki Station North Exit.

Read more about Iwakitaira Castle

Explore a historic mountain castle site with scenic views and ancient artifacts.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle near the summit of Mount Ryōzen.
• Established as a provincial governor's residence by Kitabatake Akiie.
• Served as a base for Southern Court forces.
• Abandoned during the Ōei era.

What to see

• Mount Ryōzen area is a National Historic Site.
• Mount Ryōzen area is a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Building foundation stones from 1980 excavations.
• Excavated Song dynasty coins and old Seto ware.

Read more about Ryōzen Castle

Uzumine Castle, a National Historic Site, offers a historical mountain hike with panoramic views.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Hoshigajo and Unsui Mine.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Built on Mt. Uzumine, an independent peak.
• Fell in 1346 and again in 1353.

What to see

• The entire mountain area was utilized by the castle.
• Place names like Sennindame and Choshijo remain.
• Sennindame is a kuruwa enclosed by earthworks.
• A stone monument stands on the mountaintop.
• The mountain is 677 meters high.

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Jingamine Castle offers a glimpse into a medieval Japanese castle's layout and unearthed artifacts.

What it is

• Ruins of a castle in Aizubange Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Designated a national historic site.
• Not reused after the early modern period.

What to see

• Central flat area is now a field.
• Part of the site has a public hall.
• Castle built along a terrace.
• Double moat, 60 meters wide and 15 meters deep.
• Excavated pillar-supported building remains and a smithy.
• Unearthed trade ceramics and metal products.

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Explore a 17th-century castle site, now a park, with preserved earthworks and a monument.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built in 1625 by Niwa Nagashige.
• Known as Kamegajo, it was the seat of the Tanagura Domain.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• A flatland castle with a concentric and stepped layout.

What to see

• Kamegajo Park, where the main keep and moats are preserved.
• Earthworks and a double moat.
• A monument to Shunroku Hata on the castle site.
• The south gate, relocated to Chokyuji Temple.

Read more about Tanagura Castle

Explore Miharu Castle ruins, a historic site and cherry blossom viewing spot, offering a glimpse into feudal Japan.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Mutsu Province.
• Alternate name is Maizuru Castle.
• Designated as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
• Administrative center of Miharu Domain.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a 407m hill.
• Site of the Tamura, Matsushita, Kato, and Akita clans.
• Structure based on the Matsushita clan era castle.

When to go

• Known as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

Read more about Miharu Castle

Explore a historic castle with unique stone walls, a symbol of resilience in Tohoku.

What it is

• A hirayama-jiro castle on Komine-ga-oka hill.
• Built in 1340 by Yuki Chikatomo.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

What to see

• All-stone wall construction.
• Restored main keep (Sanjū Yagura).
• Stone walls damaged in 2011 earthquake.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Shirakawa Station.

Official site

www.city.shirakawa.fukushima.jp

Read more about Komine Castle

Explore a historic castle site in Fukushima, once home to the Sōma clan.

What it is

• A hirayama-jiro type castle, also known as Nakamura Castle.
• Built around 800 AD by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Residence of the Sōma clan from 1611.
• Abandoned in 1871, now Baryō Park.

What to see

• Main gate, stone walls, and earthworks remain.
• Moats, including the Uda River as a natural defense.
• Site built on a small hill, 15 meters high.

Read more about Sōma-Nakamura Castle

Atsukashiyama Barrier is a significant medieval defense site, crucial to understanding Japan's samurai history.

What it is

• A barrier from the late Heian period.
• Also called Atsukashiyama Futae-bori.
• A defense facility for the Oshu Fujiwara clan.
• Built in anticipation of Minamoto no Yoritomo's army.

What to see

• Double moats and triple earthworks.
• Northern end of the Fukushima Basin.
• Extends about 4 kilometers south from Atsukashiyama.

Read more about Atsukashiyama Barrier

Explore extensive ruins of a 16th-century castle, a National Historic Site with impressive scale.

What it is

• Japanese castle ruins in Mutsu Province.
• Built by Ashina Moriuji, construction began in 1561.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.

What to see

• Castle ruins spanning 50 hectares.
• Extensive earthworks and moats.
• River flowing directly east of the site.

Read more about Mukaihaguroyama Castle

Explore Aizuwakamatsu Castle, a reconstructed historical landmark with a museum, offering a glimpse into feudal Japan.

What it is

• Aizuwakamatsu Castle, also known as Tsuruga Castle.
• Political center of the Aizu domain.
• First residence built in 1384 by Ashina Naomori.
• Designated a National Historic Site.

What to see

• Reinforced concrete reconstruction of the castle tower.
• Castle tower interior houses the Aizuwakamatsu Castle Museum.

Official site

www.tsurugajo.com

Read more about Aizuwakamatsu Castle

Explore Omori Castle ruins, a former Date clan stronghold, now a park with an observation deck.

What it is

• Former Omori Castle, also known as Gagyū-jō.
• An important base for the Date clan.
• Abolished in 1591, abandoned in 1644.
• Now Omoriyama Park.

What to see

• Castle ruins, including earthworks and dry moats.
• Observation deck shaped like a turret.
• Small hill with a highest point of 147 meters.

Read more about Omori Castle

Explore Shirakawa Castle, a National Historic Site, to see the ruins of a 13th-century samurai clan's base.

What it is

• A National Historic Site designated in 2016.
• Also known as Karamejo Castle and Yuki Shirakawa Castle.
• Residence of the Shirakawa Yuki clan from 1289.
• Abandoned after the Yuki clan moved to Komine Castle.

What to see

• Excavated remains from the 14th to 16th centuries.

Read more about Shirakawa Castle

Explore the ruins of a 15th-century castle, now a historical park with excavated foundations.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built in 1471.
• Constructed by Ouchi Munemasa.
• Abandoned in 1627.
• Now a historical park on a hill.

What to see

• Stone walls built during the Gamo Ujisato era.
• Excavated main enclosure site from 1981.
• Remains of seven pillar-supported buildings.

Read more about Obama Castle