Taga Castle

A nice castle for castle fans to visit since it is one of the oldest castle sites in the country, and especially on the main island of Honshu. Stop by the tourist information center just outside the station to get a map of the castle ruins. The first place to start is just outside the station and th

History

Taga Castle was built on the boundary between the Emishi people of the northeast and the lands ruled by the Imperial Court in Kyoto. It was the main military and political base for the pacification of the northeast. It was burned down in a rebellion in 780 but was soon rebuilt. Sakanoue no Tamuramaro moved the military base farther north in 802, but Taga Castle continued to flourish as the political and administrative center. Taga Castle lost it's importance during the period of Northern and Southern courts.

Several castles of this same type were built pushing farther into the north as new territories were subjugated. Taga Castle is well known for being mentioned in an ancient history text (shokunihonki) and by Matsuo Basho in his famous Oku no Hosomichi.

Field Notes

A nice castle for castle fans to visit since it is one of the oldest castle sites in the country, and especially on the main island of Honshu. Stop by the tourist information center just outside the station to get a map of the castle ruins. The first place to start is just outside the station and then you only need to follow the blue signs (even if you can't read them) to get to the other sites.

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Gallery

remains of the government office
government or officials buildings
central compound model
gate ruins and tuijibei wall
open area in front of the provincial office
foundation of the provincial office.
East Gate and wall ruins
southern wall ruins
stone monument to the renovation of the castle
Sakkan area
map of Taga Castle

Castle Profile
English Name	Taga Castle
Japanese Name	多賀城
Founder	Ohno no Azumabito
Year Founded	724
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Top 100 Castles, has Important Cultural Properties, National Historic Site, Special Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Kokufu-Tagajo Sta. (Tohoku Main Line), 15 min walk
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Tagajo, Miyagi Prefecture
Coordinates	38.30593, 140.98867
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2010
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2010
Admin Visits	May 22, 2010

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