Shōjujidate Castle, Medieval fortified residence in Nanbu, Japan
Shōjujidate Castle is a medieval fortification in Nanbu positioned at a strategic junction where the Ōshū Kaidō and Kakuno Kaidō roads meet the Mabechi River. The structure spreads across private farmland and fruit orchards in the northern part of the country.
The Nanbu clan built this fortification during the Kamakura period and maintained it through the Muromachi period before fire destroyed it in 1539. This event marked the end of its use as an active military site.
The Sankō-ji temple and Moto-Sannohe Hachiman-gu Shrine that stand on the grounds reflect how spiritual and civic life were closely linked in medieval Japan. Walking through the site today, these buildings shape how visitors experience the place and understand its layered purpose.
Access to the site is available through an information center open from 9 to 4:30, where visitors can get guidance about the grounds. Since the site includes private farmland with active households, visitors should stay on designated paths and be respectful of local activities.
The trapezoidal foundation measures 36 meters north to south and 42 meters east to west, making it the largest medieval castle structure in the Tōhoku region. This remarkable scale set it apart from other fortified sites of the same era.
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