11 Castles in Iwate worth your time

Tokutan Castle is an ancient Japanese castle ruin, a National Historic Site worth visiting for its historical significance.

What it is

• An ancient Japanese castle in Iwate Prefecture.
• Built in 812, replacing the original Shiwa Castle.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1969.
• Used until the mid-9th century.

What to see

• Site on a low plateau within an alluvial plain.
• Castle measures approximately 350 meters on each side.
• Remains of timber fences and watchtowers.
• Location of former official buildings.
• A wooden helmet from the 7th century was found here.
• Site is being developed as a historic park.

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Explore Isawa Castle, an ancient fortress and national historic site, for a glimpse into early Japanese history.

What it is

• An ancient Japanese castle in Mutsu Province.
• Built in 802 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Functioned as a chinjufu for 150 years.
• Now the Isawa Castle Ruins Historical Park.

What to see

• Total area of approximately 460,000 square meters.
• Remains of a double moat system.
• Site of a 90-meter square government office.
• Restored parts of the outer south gate and south road.

Getting there

• About 15 minutes by bus from Mizusawa Station.

Official site

www.oshu-bunka.or.jp

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Explore the ruins of a mountain castle, a designated historical site in Iwate Prefecture.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle in Iwate Prefecture.
• Also known as Hamasaki-kan or Furudate.
• Built by Ōtsuchi Jirō in the Muromachi period.
• Designated a prefectural historical site in 1992.

What to see

• Site of a castle measuring 700 meters east-west, 100 meters north-south.
• Original castle had a watchtower and four baileys.
• Located on a mountain between the Kozuchi and Ōtsuchi rivers.
• Total flat ground area was approximately 7,540 square meters.

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Morioka Castle, a National Historic Site, offers a glimpse into feudal Japan and scenic park views.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1937.
• Completed in 1633, rebuilt in 1635 after a fire.
• Former residence of the Nanbu clan.

What to see

• Stone walls, some reaching 14 meters high.
• The castle site developed as Iwate Park.
• Built on a granite hill at two rivers' confluence.

When to go

• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006.

Official site

www.moriokashiroato.jp

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Explore Nabekura Castle ruins, a National Historic Site with impressive earthworks and river moats.

What it is

• Japanese castle ruins, also known as Tono Castle.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Built on Mount Nabekura, an isolated hill.
• Renamed Nabekura Castle in 1627.

What to see

• Main keep foundation, 120m by 24m.
• Second bailey, 88m by 45m.
• Third bailey, 135m by 29m.
• Earthen embankments on the west side.
• Foundation stones in main keep and second bailey.
• Moat traces between main keep and second bailey.

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Explore the ruins of Shiwa Castle, a short-lived but historically significant ancient Japanese fortress.

What it is

• An ancient Japanese castle, also known as Shiba Castle.
• Built in 803 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• The northernmost castle in Mutsu Province.

What to see

• The outer enclosure, 840m square with a mud wall.
• Remains of a south gate and turrets.
• Site of a government office area with 14 buildings.
• Located near the confluence of two rivers.

Official site

www.city.morioka.iwate.jp

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Explore Seizankan, a large Sengoku-period castle ruin, for a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A hirayamajiro (castle on a hill in a plain).
• Residential castle of the Haryama clan.
• A military stronghold controlling Sarukoshi Pass.
• Abandoned after the Kunohe Masazane Rebellion.

What to see

• The castle site is now a field.
• Traces of the main, east, and second enclosures remain.
• Traces of the moat are still visible.
• Excavated Chinese coins and celadon fragments.

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Explore Kunohe Castle, a National Historic Site with Tohoku's oldest stone wall, for a glimpse into medieval Japan.

What it is

• A medieval hirayama-jiro, or flatland-mountain castle.
• Designated a National Historic Site on June 7, 1935.
• Also known as Miyano Castle.
• A former residence of the Nanbu clan.

What to see

• The main bailey has Tohoku's oldest stone wall.
• The castle was surrounded by three rivers.
• Multiple baileys formed the castle layout.
• Excavations found human bones and artifacts.

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Explore Kōriyama Castle ruins, a historic mountain castle site with scenic views.

What it is

• A mountain castle from the Middle Ages to early Edo period.
• Also known as Takamizudera Castle.
• Base for the Shiba clan, established in 1335.
• Now Shiwa Town Shiroyama Park, a designated historic site.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a hill, demolished in 1667.
• Site of the main keep at the highest point.
• Terrace on the right bank of the Kitakami River.

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Explore Tonomi Palisade, a National Historic Site, to understand early Oshu Hiraizumi culture.

What it is

• A castle palisade of the Abe clan.
• Also known as Yasaburo Tate.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2013.
• Important for understanding Oshu Hiraizumi culture origins.

What to see

• Site of a 1062 battle where Abe Yoriyoshi died.
• Excavation site, studied 19 times from 1958 to 2012.
• Estimated size is 500 meters north-south, 300 meters east-west.

Official site

www.town.kanegasaki.iwate.jp

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Explore the historical site of Kuriyagawa Palisade, a pivotal battleground from the Former Nine Years' War.

What it is

• A former residence and key base of the Abe clan.
• Believed to have been a natural fortress.
• Site of the final battle of the Former Nine Years' War.

What to see

• The general area where the palisade once stood.
• The Shizukuishi River, formerly known as Kuriyagawa.

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