Shichinohe Castle
Two entrances through the park and shrine at the top of the hill or via the Eastern gate near the Gozo Tenno shrine
History
The age of this castle is unknown, it is thought to date back to 1334 during the Kamakura period under the rule of Akiie Kitabatake. The area of Shichinohe, at this time was known as the Mutsu Province, which included Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, and parts of Akita. For many years the castle was ruled by generations of Nambu Shichinohe clan, which later fell under the rule of the Morioka.
The castle was built on the Northern side of the hill and originally consisted of seven main buildings, with several moats. Only scattered stone works, ground works, and a small portion of an inner moat remain. A wooden reconstruction of the Eastern gate has recently been made to mark the entrance to the site, which one of the maru has been converted into the local city park. A model of the castle buildings has also been constructed on the site of the honmaru. This castle is nestled at the base of the Hakkadata mountains and is a little off the beaten track but worth the visit.
Field Notes
Two entrances through the park and shrine at the top of the hill or via the Eastern gate near the Gozo Tenno shrine
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Shichinohe Castle |
| Japanese Name | 七戸城 |
| Alternate Names | Shichinohe Jinya |
| Founder | Nanbu Masanaga |
| Year Founded | around 1334 |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | National Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Eastern Gate (Reconstruction) |
| Features | gates |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Shichinohe Towada Sta.(Tohoku Shinkansen); 35 min. walk |
| Hours | free |
| Time Required | |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Shichinohe, Aomori Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 40.69984, 141.14917 |
|
|
|
| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2012 |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Admin Visits | Viewer Donated |
