Tanagura Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Tanagura, Japan
Tanagura Castle is a medieval fortress in the town featuring extensive earthen ramparts and double moats that once surrounded the main bailey. The remaining stone walls and water features are now preserved within Kamegajo Park, creating an open space where visitors can walk the original grounds.
The castle was built in 1625 by Niwa Nagashige to serve as the administrative headquarters for the Tanagura Domain. It fell into disuse during the 1868 Boshin War when the old feudal system came to an end.
The castle earned its nickname 'Kamegajo' from a local legend about a large turtle in the moat whose appearance supposedly predicted changes in the domain's rulership. This name remains part of how people speak about and remember the place today.
The site is now part of Kamegajo Park and lies within a 10-minute walk from JR Iwaki-Tanagura Station, making it easy to reach. The park allows visitors to wander freely through the open grounds and explore the remaining structures at their own pace.
The fortress used an unusual design for northeastern Japan, featuring watchtowers connected by continuous wooden corridors that ran around the main bailey. This connected design allowed defenders to move quickly between positions while staying sheltered.
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