Sendai Castle, Medieval fortress in Aoba Ward, Japan
Sendai Castle, also known as Aoba Castle, is a historic hilltop fortress on Mount Aoba in central Sendai, Japan. What remains today includes restored watchtowers, stone walls, a museum, and open grounds with views over the city.
Date Masamune began building the castle in 1601 on a hilltop he chose for its natural defenses, and he deliberately left out a main tower to avoid drawing suspicion from the ruling Tokugawa shogunate. Much of the original structure was later lost to fire and wartime bombing, leaving mainly the stone foundations and a few restored elements.
A large equestrian statue of Date Masamune stands on the hilltop and draws many visitors who come to photograph it against the city below. The one-eyed lord is deeply tied to Sendai's identity, and his image appears throughout the city.
A bus from Sendai Station stops near the base of the hill, and from there a walking path leads up to the site. The grounds are uneven with slopes and steps, so wear comfortable shoes before heading up.
Parts of the stone walls were cracked and shifted by the 2011 earthquake, and some of those marks are still visible today. The damage was only partially repaired, so the walls themselves carry a record of that event alongside centuries of history.
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