Morioka Castle, Japanese castle ruins in Morioka, Japan
Morioka Castle is a castle ruin in Morioka, Japan, set on a hill where two rivers meet. Massive granite walls and foundations mark the grounds and show the original construction of the fortress.
Nanbu Toshinao began building the fortress in 1597, and it served as the administrative seat of the Nanbu clan until 1874. After that time the castle was dismantled, leaving only walls and foundations behind.
Poems by local authors such as Takuboku Ishikawa and Kenji Miyazawa appear on stone markers placed across the grounds. Visitors see how literary traditions are woven into the landscape of the region.
The grounds are about a 15-minute walk from JR Morioka Station and can also be reached by bus. Paths run across several levels, which is something to keep in mind when walking through the site.
During the Morioka Yukiakari Festival in winter, the grounds turn into a glowing garden of small snow sculptures lit with candles. The warm lights between the old stone walls create a distinct mood in the cold season.
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