9 Castles in Tochigi worth your time

Explore medieval castle ruins, a National Historic Site with a rich history.

What it is

• A medieval Japanese castle, built 1293-1298.
• Residence of the Haga clan.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Destroyed in 1590 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

What to see

• Castle ruins with structures from the early Heian period.
• Site of a flatland castle, 240 by 420 meters.
• Seven baileys once formed the castle layout.
• Excavated pottery and iron artifacts.

When to go

• Tobiyama Castle Historic Park opened in March 2005.

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Explore the ruins of a 15th-century mountaintop castle, a designated national historic site.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Built in 1418 by Nasu Sukeshige.
• Designated as a national historic site.
• Served as the administrative center of Karasuyama Domain.

What to see

• Castle built on Mount Hachitaka, 202 meters above sea level.
• Honmaru and Ninomaru were at the mountain top.
• Stone walls and earthworks remain today.
• The Jincho-mon gate has been relocated and still exists.

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Explore historic castle ruins with Mount Fuji views and ancient artifacts.

What it is

• A National Historic Site, also known as Gion Castle.
• Built in 1148 by Masamitsu Oyama.
• Main residence of the Oyama clan until 1602.
• Now part of Shiroyama Park.

What to see

• Castle ruins: earthworks, moats, and horse-dashing areas.
• A ginkgo tree, a natural monument of Oyama City.
• Excavated artifacts, a Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Property.
• One of Kanto's Top 100 Views of Mount Fuji.

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Sano Castle is a historic Japanese castle site, offering a glimpse into samurai-era architecture.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Kasugaoka or Uba Castle.
• Built in 1602 on the site of So-shuji temple.
• Designated as a historic site of Sano City.
• Abandoned in 1614 after only 12 years of use.

What to see

• A hirayama-jiro style castle, built on a hill.
• Castle measured 370 meters east-west and 500 meters north-south.
• Main keep's highest point was 56 meters above sea level.

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Explore a reconstructed castle park with historical significance for shoguns and samurai.

What it is

• A castle park in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Known as one of the Kanto Seven Famous Castles.
• Originally a residence built in the Heian period.
• Served as lodging for Tokugawa shoguns.

What to see

• Part of the main keep's earthworks still exists.
• Restored structures: Seimeidai and Fujimiyagura.
• Future restorations include Honmaru Onari Goten and gates.

Read more about Utsunomiya Castle

Explore the ruins of a 16th-century castle, now a park, offering a glimpse into feudal Japan.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Built in 1543 by Otawara Sukekiyo.
• The Otawara clan ruled from here until 1868.
• Abolished in 1873 by government act.

What to see

• Site of a flatland mountain castle.
• Remains of north, main, second, and third baileys.
• Now Ryujo Park, a city historic site.
• A castle gate relocated to Koshinji Temple.

Read more about Ōtawara Castle

Karasawa Castle is a historic mountaintop castle ruin with impressive stone walls, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A historic mountaintop castle ruin in Sano City.
• Also known as Tochimoto, Negoya, and Ushiga Castle.
• Construction began in 927.
• Designated a National Historic Site.

What to see

• Remnants of high stone walls.
• Earthworks and moats.
• Karasawayama Shrine on the main keep site.

Official site

www.city.sano.lg.jp

Read more about Karasawa Castle

Explore Nishikata Castle, a 13th-century mountaintop fortress and National Historic Site.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built in 1293.
• Founded by Kagetake, son of Utsunomiya Yasumune.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• Located on Mount Shiroyama.
• Eight enclosures separated by earthworks.
• Moats divide the castle enclosures.

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Explore the remnants of Mibu Castle, a former domain seat with a unique history.

What it is

• Former seat of the Mibu Domain.
• Built by Mibu Tsunashige.
• Used by the Torii clan for eight generations.

What to see

• Five foundation stones of the main gate.
• Relocated castle gates in private homes.

Read more about Mibu Castle