篠川城, Medieval castle in Kōriyama, Japan
Shinokawa Castle is a medieval fortress in Kōriyama situated between two rivers with substantial stone walls and an inner moat surrounding the grounds. The reconstructed Ote-mon Gate sits at the southern end of the site and serves as the main entrance to the castle complex.
The site began as a medicinal herb garden during the Nara period but was transformed into a fortification in the late 10th century. Major renovations under Tsutsui Junkei's leadership gave the castle its lasting structure and form.
The castle grounds host the Yamatokoriyama Oshiro Matsuri festival in early spring, where cherry blossoms are illuminated and traditional performances take place. These celebrations bring together visitors who come to experience the site's cultural heritage firsthand.
The castle grounds are accessible on foot within 15 minutes from JR Koriyama Station or 7 minutes from Kintetsu-Koriyama Station. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the terrain includes slopes and varied pathways throughout the site.
Buddhist statues and gravestones are built into the castle walls, incorporated during construction under Lord Toyotomi Hidenaga's rule due to material shortages. This unusual practice makes the fortification an unexpected repository of religious artifacts.
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