Nagahama Castle Ruins (Shiga)

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Nagahama Castle Ruins is now Hou Park located on the banks of Lake Biwa in Nagahama city, Shiga prefecture.

Nagahama was a castle town that Hashiba Hideyoshi (later known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi) built his own castle for the first time.

The tenshu (keep) was reconstructed in Nagahama Castle Ruins in 1983. It contains a museum about the city of Nagahama.

 Hou Park in dusk

The ruins of a well made by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.   When Lake Biwa is high tide, it is submerged.

Mt.Ibuki seen from Hou Park

Heading to Wakasa from Nagahama.    On the way Mikata-goko as seen from the highway of Rainbow Line.

Panoramic view

End of Nagahama Castle Ruins.      return to List of scenic sites visited

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Hirosaki Castle (Aomori)

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Hirosaki Castle, located in Hirosaki city, Aomori prefecture, was the home to Tsugaru clan who ruled over Hirosaki domain in Edo period.

3-story donjon of Hirosaki Castle
It's one of the twelve castle's donjons which are in existence from Edo period, so designated as a national important cultural property.

Gejou-bashi bridge toward the donjon.

A popular photo spot on Gejou-bashi bridge.

Hirosaki Castle historical museum is in the donjon. The materials on Hirosaki Clan Government are exhibited in it.

This appearance of the donjon is different from the opposite side; without crenels on the walls, with bigger windows for well lighting.

Hirosaki Park spreads around the castle.

Ushi-Tora-Yagura (northeast turret)

The outer moats of the castle

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village      It's tourist facilities close to the Hirosaki Park.

Here to demonstrate and sell Senbei, Japanese crackers,  made with the traditional techniques.

End of Hirosaki Castle.     return to List of scenic sites visited

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Takato Castle Ruins (Nagano)

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Takato Castle Ruins, located in Ina City, Nagano, is said to be one of the best three sights in Japan for viewing cherry blossoms.
Unfortunately cherry-blossoms haven't been flowering yet in mid-April.

“桜雲橋”, Ou-un-kyo bridge over moat, and “問屋門”, Tonya-mon gate there.

About 1,500 cherry trees called Takato-Kohigan-zakura are planted in the park.

Some cherry trees have a few blossoms.

Cherry trees have a lot of light pink bud just before flowering.

Blossoms of Takato-Kohigan-zakura

Takato-kaku, built in 1936 and presently used for rest or meeting, is designated as a tangible cultural property of Japan.

End of Takato Castle Ruins.     return to List of scenic sites visited

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Matsushiro Castle Ruins (Nagano)

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Matsushiro Castle, originally called Kaizu Castle, was built by Takeda Shingen in Sengoku period and demolished in Meiji period.
At the end of the Edo period, it was home to the Sanada clan, daimyō of Matsushiro Domain.
Its ruins, partially reconstructed, is located in Nagano City, Nagano prefecture.

Taikomon gate and Taikomon Maebashi bridge restored

Taikomon gate was in front of the castle's main enclosure called Honmaru.

Kita-akazumon, a gate behind the castle, was formerly close to Chikuma River.

The castle and its surroundings are a cherry-blossom viewing spot with about a hundred cherry trees in the period of flowering.

Inui-Yagura-dai, an observatory behind Kaizu Castle Ruins stone monument.　　

Higashi-Akazumon-Maebashi bridge

Garyo Park in Suzaka City, close to Nagano City.  It's also a well-known cherry-blossom viewing spot.

Cherry trees have a lot of buds, but unfortunately cherry-blossoms haven't been flowering today.

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Ueda Castle (Nagano)

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Ueda Castle which was the original home of the Sanada clan, built by Sanada Masayuki, is located in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
Ueda-jo Senbonzakura Matsuri, the cherry blossom festival, is held in April every year.

Ama-ga-fuchi.     The old days Chikuma River has flowed through here.

Minami-yagura, south turret, as seen from Ama-ga-fuchi.

Higashi-koguchi-yagura-mon, the main gate of Ueda Castle.

Kita-yagura, north turret.

The weeping cherry blossom in front of Kita-yagura is the most popular spot during cherry blossom season.

Moat of Ueda Castle seen between the weeping cherry blossoms.

Tearoom made with Tun

The trace of Ninomaru Moat is currently avenue of zelkova trees.

The train was running through the trace of Ninomaru Moat about 50 years ago.

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