8 Castles in Ibaraki worth your time

Tsuchiura Castle is a historic flatland castle with restored turrets, a short walk from Tsuchiura Station.

What it is

• A flatland castle built in the Muromachi period.
• First built by Saburo Wakaizumi in the Eikyo era (1429-1441).
• Known as Kijo (Turtle Castle) due to its design.
• Ibaraki Prefecture's first designated historic site.

What to see

• Wide double moats that protected the castle.
• A drum tower gate still stands today.
• Restored east and west turrets.
• Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Tsuchiura Station.

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Explore Mito Castle, a historic site and former residence of the Mito Tokugawa family.

What it is

• Former residence of the Mito Tokugawa family.
• Seat of the Mito Domain government.
• History dates back to the Heian period.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

What to see

• Kōdōkan, a National Special Historic Site.
• Otemon gate, restored in wood in 2020.
• Yakui-mon gate, the oldest existing castle building.
• Naka River and Senba Lake served as natural moats.

Getting there

• Located on a hill adjacent to Mito Station.

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Explore Kihara Castle ruins, once a Kondo clan residence, offering historical insights and park views.

What it is

• Kihara Castle, also known as Kamikoshi Castle.
• A former Japanese castle in Ibaraki Prefecture.
• It was the residence of the Kondo clan.
• Abandoned around 1603 after its fall in 1574.

What to see

• The Honmaru site is Kihara Castle Ruins Shiroyama Park.
• The castle had a decreasing elevation from Sannomaru to Honmaru.
• Ninomaru and Sannomaru sites are now cultivated fields.
• Located on the south bank of Lake Kasumigaura.

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Explore the ruins of a 13th-century castle, once a powerful Edo-period administrative center.

What it is

• A castle built in 1219 by Kasama Tokitomo.
• Served as the administrative center for the Kasama Domain.
• Demolished in 1873 by ordinance.
• Selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles in 2017.

What to see

• Stone walls remain from the castle.
• Hachimandai turret relocated to Shinjōji Temple.
• Hachimandai turret is a cultural property.
• Two castle gates moved to private residences.

Official site

www.city.kasama.lg.jp

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Explore a National Historic Site, the ruins of a significant flatland castle.

What it is

• A flatland castle, designated a National Historic Site.
• Built in 1185 by Hatta Tomoie.
• Residence of the Oda clan from Kamakura to Sengoku periods.
• Opened as Oda Castle Ruins Historical Plaza on April 29, 2016.

What to see

• Ruins of a hirayama castle, 1 km east-west and 700 m north-south.
• Site of the main enclosure, which had two ponds.
• Located at the foot of Odayama.

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Explore Makabe Castle ruins, a National Historic Site with restored earthworks and relocated gates.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Sakuragawa City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Construction believed to have started in 1172.
• Ruled by the Makabe clan for generations.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a plateau, a hirayama-jiro type.
• Restored earthworks and moats from excavations.
• Some original castle gates were relocated and still exist.

Official site

www.city.sakuragawa.lg.jp

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Explore Sakasai Castle Park, a reconstructed hirayamajiro castle site with historical earthworks and gates.

What it is

• A hirayamajiro type castle, also called Iinuma Castle.
• Built around the Kyotoku era on a plateau.
• Became the residence of Oyamayoshimasa's fifth son, Tsunemune.
• Rebuilt by the Later Hojo clan.

What to see

• Reconstructed turrets, earthworks, and gates.
• Kanehori Pond within the park.

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Koga Castle was a strategic medieval stronghold, now a historical site with few remains.

What it is

• A castle founded around 1180 by Shigeharu Shimokobe.
• Served as a base for the Northern Court Ashikaga clan.
• Functioned as a shogun's lodging during Nikko pilgrimages.
• Abolished in the early Meiji period.

What to see

• A stone monument marks the former main keep site.

Read more about Koga Castle