After leaving Nara and the deer, I took the train to Koriyama to visit Yamato Koriyama Castle. The castle grounds are about a 15 minute walk from the JR Koriyama Station. There were only a few other people the day I was there.
Here is the history of the castle from the JCastle website:
After Tsutsui Junkei defeated his long time enemy Matsunaga Hisahide in 1580 he moved to Koriyama strengthening the fortifications that were there and building Koriyama Castle. In 1585 Hideyoshi's brother Hidenaga moved into Koriyama Castle and conducted many improvements making it into a large scale modern castle. He also confiscated many stones from nearby temple gardens and even religious statues for use in the walls. Mashita Nagamori moved into the castle in 1595 but abandoned it when he lost at the Battle of Sekigahara. The castle fell into disrepair for a time until Ieyasu stationed Mizuno Katsushige here in 1615 and commissioned him to reconstruct the castle. Yanagisawa Yoshisato became lord of the castle in 1724. The Yanagisawa continued to rule until the Meiji Restoration when the castle was abandoned.
The visitor toilets are made to look castle-like.
There is a little shrine on the castle grounds.
As you can see from this sign, the castle grounds are rather large.
Looking back over the bridge.
Inside, there was only one room on the first floor open. The little one room museum had some historical information, all in Japanese.
There was a spring festival at the castle park from February 3rd to March 10th. I was there one March 3rd and the flowers were already beyond their peak. Still, I paid 500 yen to view the little house filled with small trees. Outside the house was an area selling fruits and vegetables and Japanese sweets. I bought some dango. I don't know for sure, but I think dango is lucky.
I climbed up to the top and took in the view all around.
4 comments:
I was very surprised when you first told me that you had travelled to Nara and Koriyama.
Koriyama, which I immediately imagine, is located in the Tohoku region of Japan, far from Nara. But after reading this blog, I was convinced. You visited Koriyama near Nara, right?
Although it is a castle ruin, when I learned the name of the historical military commander who ruled this castle, I can imagine the reason for its vast grounds.
I think it's good to eat local food when you travel, so I actively ate it while traveling.😁
Like Toki, I was confused ant thought you went on a long trip all the way to Fukushima prefecture from Nara! Now I know better!
It must be a huge place with all the pictures you manage to take. Yes, it looks both interesting and beautiful.
BTW, are the round pink 'flowers' on the table cloth, yo-yos?
The stone wall is very impressive and I love the bridge and the beauty of the xcastle. That little red tree is quite lovely. I'm sorry you missed the festival, though.
Another beautiful and interesting place to visit! I wonder if you'll ever run out of castles to visit?
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