Watari Castle, Feudal castle in Watari, Japan
Watari Castle is a feudal fortress in Japan built on a hill shaped like a resting ox, with multiple defensive walls and surrounding moats that made it strategically strong. The layout spread across several levels with gates positioned to control movement throughout the site.
The castle was built by Watari Motomune and passed to Katakura Kagetsuna in 1591 before coming under Date Narizumi's control in 1602. These shifts in leadership reflect how it served as a key stronghold in regional power dynamics during that era.
The main bailey now houses Watari Shrine, dedicated to Date Narizumi who helped shape the town's development. Visitors can experience how sacred and secular history blend together in this space.
The castle site sits about 16 minutes walk from JR Watari Station and is easy to reach on foot. Signboards along the path to the shrine explain the fortress layout and help visitors understand the site.
Two original castle gates survived and were moved to Jōin-ji and Sennen-ji temples within the town. These relocated structures show how pieces of the fortress were preserved by being incorporated into later sacred buildings.
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