7 Castles in Miyagi worth your time

Visit this historic administrative center to see ancient foundations and a monument that inspired a famous poet.

What it is

• Former headquarters for governing the Tohoku area.
• Built in 724 during the Nara period.
• Abandoned after the eleventh century due to power changes.
• Rediscovered in the Edo period by Sendai domain scholars.

What to see

• Original stone foundations of the castle.
• Tagajo Castle Monument, a 1.96-meter stone stele.
• Monument protected by a small wooden hut.
• Foundation stones of a temple and large pagoda.
• Pleasant park at the former temple grounds.

When to go

• Reconstructed castle gate scheduled for completion in 2024.

Getting there

• Temple ruins are about 1 kilometer southeast of the castle site.

Official site

www.thm.pref.miyagi.jp

Read more about Taga Castle

Explore Wakuya Castle ruins, a historic site with a unique corner turret and museum.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle in Miyagi Prefecture.
• Also known as Wakuya Yogai.
• Originally owned by the Wakuya clan.
• Later a residence for the Watari clan, Date retainers.

What to see

• The site is now Shiroyama Park.
• See earthworks and dry moats.
• A corner turret (Taikodō) is the only remaining structure.
• It is the only original castle structure in the prefecture.
• A castle-like building (museum) stands nearby.

Read more about Wakuya Castle

Explore the ruins of a 16th-century mountain castle, once a key regional hub.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, also called Takamori Castle.
• It was the residence of the Rusu clan.
• Abandoned between 1570 and 1573.
• Designated a national historic site in 1982.

What to see

• The castle site is now Takamoriyama Park.
• The castle area was 500 by 400 meters.
• Built on a 106-meter-high ridge.

Getting there

• Accessible from JR East Tohoku Main Line Iwakiri Station.

Read more about Iwakiri Castle

Explore Ōhira Castle ruins, a 16th-century flatland mountain castle, now a park with a castle-inspired hall.

What it is

• A flatland mountain castle, built starting in 1544.
• Constructed by Ōhira Munesuji.
• Also known as Koshiji-tate or Shionami-tate.
• Abolished after the Ōshū Punitive Expedition.

What to see

• Ōhira Castle Ruins Park, developed in 1968.
• Main enclosure ruins, 38 ken east-west.
• Second enclosure, 65 ken long.
• Ōhira Castle Youth Exchange Hall, a castle tower model.

Read more about Ōhira Castle

Explore Iwadeyama Castle ruins, once Date Masamune's home, and see Japan's oldest han school building.

What it is

• Former residence of the Ujiie clan.
• Date Masamune resided here for 12 years from 1591.
• Renamed Iwadeyama Castle in 1591.
• Site of Yubikan, a han school.

What to see

• Castle ruins include earthworks, moats, and stone walls.
• Oldest existing han school building, Yubikan.
• Concrete statue of Date Masamune in Shiroyama Park.
• Site is now Shiroyama Park.

Read more about Iwadeyama Castle

Explore a faithful wooden reconstruction of a historic castle with a unique past.

What it is

• A hirayamajiro type of Japanese castle.
• Designated historic site of Shiroishi City.
• Residence of the Shiroishi and Katakura clans.
• Exempt from the Edo shogunate's 'one castle per province' rule.

What to see

• Three-story yagura and gates, restored in wood.
• Castle built on a 76-meter-high hill.
• One of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.

Official site

www.shiro-f.jp

Read more about Shiroishi Castle

Explore the ruins of Sendai Castle, a historic site with panoramic city views and a rich samurai legacy.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Aoba Castle.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Construction began in 1600 by Date Masamune.
• Residence of the Date clan for 270 years.

What to see

• Castle ruins within Aobayama Park.
• Site of the main gate and side turret.
• Components of the Tiger Gate.

Read more about Sendai Castle