Shichinohe Castle

The castle foundations rest on a 40-meter hilltop with remaining stone walls and earthworks forming seven distinct enclosures protected by multiple moats.

The Nanbu clan controlled this defensive structure until 1591 when they opposed Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces during the Kunohe Rebellion and faced defeat.

The Shichinohe Shimmei-gu Shinto shrine now occupies the former main bailey, connecting the medieval military site to contemporary religious practices.

Archaeological excavations in 1996 uncovered artifacts from the 15th century, while a reconstructed wooden gate marks the entrance within a public park.

In 1858, authorities permitted rebuilding the castle due to foreign threats, but construction never started because of the Meiji Restoration period.

Location: Shichinohe

GPS coordinates: 40.69809,141.14902

Latest update: March 5, 2025 23:41