Kakunodate Castle, Hill castle in Semboku, Japan
Kakunodate Castle is a hill castle located on Mount Furushiro overlooking Kakunodate town and the Hinokinaigawa River flowing through the valley below. The former fortification sits on a steep slope that connects the hilltop to the samurai district at ground level.
The castle was founded in the late 1500s under Moriyasu Tozawa's leadership and served as a regional fortification. It was demolished in 1620 by shogunate decree and has remained as a historical site since then.
The castle site connects to Kakunodate's samurai district, where numerous traditional residences reflect how people lived during feudal times. Walking through these streets gives a sense of the social order that defined the region back then.
The path to the summit starts from the samurai district and climbs steeply uphill, requiring about a 30-minute walk. Sturdy shoes are helpful for the steep slope, especially after rain when the ground can be slippery.
The flattened summit holds a single park bench where the castle buildings once stood, allowing visitors to sit and view the same landscape the inhabitants once looked over. This simple bench marks how the military stronghold transformed into a public gathering space.
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