Mito Castle

My first visit to Mito Castle in 2008 was a less exciting experience than the second time around. In 2008 time there was only the Sannomaru Moat and the Yakuimon Gate to remind you that a castle was here. Since that time, the city has faithfully reconstructed the Sakashita Gate (2015), Sugiyama Ga

History

Baba Sukemoto built the first castle on this site in 1214. It was called Baba Castle. The Baba continued to rule for about 200 years until they were conquered by the Edo. The Edo enlarged the castle and renamed it Mito Castle. In 1590, Satake Yoshinobu, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, moved down from Oota and took over Mito Castle. He continued to rule until after the Battle of Sekigahara when he was moved to Kubota Castle in Akita Prefecture. At this point Tokugawa Ieyasu's fifth son, Takeda Nobuyoshi was made lord of Mito castle. The Tokugawa ruled over Mito Castle until the coming of the Meiji Restoration. All the castle buildings except a three story yagura and the yakuimon gate were destroyed during the Meiji Period. The yagura then burned down during WWII.

Field Notes

My first visit to Mito Castle in 2008 was a less exciting experience than the second time around. In 2008 time there was only the Sannomaru Moat and the Yakuimon Gate to remind you that a castle was here. Since that time, the city has faithfully reconstructed the Sakashita Gate (2015), Sugiyama Gate (2015), Otemon Gate (2020) and the Ninomaru Sumiyagura (2021). The latter two get most of the attention but the two gates from 2015 are equally deserving of appreciation. The grounds of the Sannomaru house the Kodokan Mito Domain School (藩校) and the grounds of the Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and Honmaru, while covered in government buildings and schools, more or less retain the shape of the castle and are well sign posted. Everything taken into consideration, Mito Castle should now be considered as a must see site for castle fans.

For many years, the big Yakuimon was the symbol of Mito Castle, but recent reconstructions of the yagura and yaguramon gate have changed that. The Yakuimon is original, but you may be surprised to know that it is not a National Important Cultural Property. Actually, it is not know for sure that this was a gate of the castle. The likelihood is very high, but there is no good evidence. Further the original thatch roof has been replaced by this metal one which could also contribute to it not being an Important Cultural Property.

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Gallery

Ninomaru Sumi Yagura
Otemon
Sannomaru Trench
Sannomaru Trench
Sannomaru Trench
Sannomaru Trench
Sannomaru
Sannomaru embankment
Sannomaru embankment
Trench between Sannomaru and Ninomaru
Otemon
Bridge over the trench between Ninomaru and Sannomaru
I wish I could get this picture from a nearby building!
photo of the original main keep
Ninomaru Sumi Yagura
Mock reconstructed wall in the Honmaru
Sugiyama Slope - shortcut into the Ninomaru
Sugiyama Gate
Sugiyama Gate
Huge Horiki between the Honmaru and Shitanomaru. The train tracks run down this trench today!
Huge Horiki between the Honmaru and Shitanomaru. The train tracks run down this trench today!
Embankments of the Masugata entrance to the Honmaru
Honmaru Embankment
Sakashitamon Gate
Sakashitamon Gate
Model of the Ninomaru area
Honmaru diorama

Castle Profile
English Name	Mito Castle
Japanese Name	水戸城
Alternate Names	Baba-jo, Suifu-no-shiro
Founder	Baba Sukemoto
Year Founded	1214
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Top 100 Castles, Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	gates, turrets, trenches, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Mito Sta. (Joban Line), 8 min. walk
Hours	Sumiyagura is open 9:30-16:00, free; closed Dec. 29 - Jan. 3
Time Required	150 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture
Coordinates	36.37286, 140.4828
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2008
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2008, 2021
Admin Visits	September 6, 2008; July 14, 2021
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