Visited 24.05.2016 (Tue)
Number of castles visited to date: 14
Top 100 castles in Japan: #10
Finale. Spent my last day in Tohoku region exploring Yamagata city before heading back to Tokyo in the afternoon to catch the flight back to Singapore. After breakfast, I check out of the hotel and walked to Kajo Park 霞城公園, where the former Yamagata Castle stood and now opened to public as a park. Apart from coming up close to the remains of Yamagata Castle, this 35.9 hectares park also contains Yamagata Prefecutural Museum 山形県立博物館, Yamagata Precture Budokan 山形県武道館, Yamagata City Kyodokan 山形市郷土館 (which is housed in a former hospital), an archery hall 山形市弓道場, a sports complex, a baseball field and softball field.
Background. The former Yamagata Castle was constructed in 1356 by Shiba Kaneyori 斯波兼頼, who ruled the Ushu region (which present day Yamagata city is part of). It was said that the castle only occupied the size of Honmaru at that point of time. Later, Shiba clan changed their name to Mogami (最上), the former name of Yamagata. In 1592, Mogami Yoshiaki 最上義光 (1546 - 1614), the 11th lord of the Mogami clan, expanded the castle grounds with the addition of Ninomaru 二の丸 and Sannomaru 三の丸, creating a three rings moat system. The name of the park "Kajo" came from the other name which Yamagata Castle was known for in the past - Kasumiga Castle 霞ヶ城, which means castle in the haze. During the Siege of Hasedo 長谷堂合戦 (1600), the castle was obscured in a thick fog (that rose from the moat) which saved it from being attacked, and this was how its alternative name came about. The middle moat and stone walls surrounding Nihonmaru were rebuilt in 1622 by Torii Tadamasa 鳥居忠政, who took over as the feudal lord of Yamagata clan. The entire compound was designated as a national historical site in 1986 (Showa 61) and was selected as one of the top 100 castles in Japan in 2006 (Heisei 18). There are also around 1,500 cherry blossom trees planted in Kajo Park, making here a popular hanami sightseeing spot during spring.
There are a total of four entrances to the park, one in each direction. Crossed a bridge to enter Kajo Park via East Gate / Higashi Otemon 東大手門. From the bridge, the double-track railway which serves Yamagata Shinkansen 山形新幹線 and the middle moat which runs alongside the railway line can be seen clearly. After passing through the gate, a statue of Mogami Yoshiaki riding valiantly on a horse come into sight immediately. Ascended the stairs near the gate and a walking path, well shaded by trees, was revealed. Spotted a couple of joggers while walking along this path which is built on the top of the stone wall that surrounds the park. Along the way, there were display boards explaining the various features of the historical fortress wall and where the turrets were located.
Restoration. Managed to accomplished only a quarter of the walking path, as I walked leisurely from the East Gate to the South Gate. Descended from the stairs and came to Honmaru Ichimonjimon 本丸一文字門, located at the center of Kajo Park. Honmaru is separated from Ninomaru by a moat, which is not filled up with water, and both areas are connected by a 21.8 m long, 5.5 m wide wooden bridge. Restoration of the gate and bridge began in 1996. Archaeological excavation was first carried out as part of restoration efforts. The repair of the stone walls was completed between 1998 and 2003, while the restoration of the wooden bridge was completed in 2005. An observation platform was also built for visitors to capture a better overview of Honmaru Ichimonjimon from an elevation.
Number of castles visited to date: 14
Top 100 castles in Japan: #10
Finale. Spent my last day in Tohoku region exploring Yamagata city before heading back to Tokyo in the afternoon to catch the flight back to Singapore. After breakfast, I check out of the hotel and walked to Kajo Park 霞城公園, where the former Yamagata Castle stood and now opened to public as a park. Apart from coming up close to the remains of Yamagata Castle, this 35.9 hectares park also contains Yamagata Prefecutural Museum 山形県立博物館, Yamagata Precture Budokan 山形県武道館, Yamagata City Kyodokan 山形市郷土館 (which is housed in a former hospital), an archery hall 山形市弓道場, a sports complex, a baseball field and softball field.
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| Yamagata City Kyodokan 山形市郷土館, a western style building which was former hospital and an important cultural property. |
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| Statue of Mogami Yoshiaki riding valiantly on a horse. |
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| Path well shaded by trees. |
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| South Exit. |
Restoration. Managed to accomplished only a quarter of the walking path, as I walked leisurely from the East Gate to the South Gate. Descended from the stairs and came to Honmaru Ichimonjimon 本丸一文字門, located at the center of Kajo Park. Honmaru is separated from Ninomaru by a moat, which is not filled up with water, and both areas are connected by a 21.8 m long, 5.5 m wide wooden bridge. Restoration of the gate and bridge began in 1996. Archaeological excavation was first carried out as part of restoration efforts. The repair of the stone walls was completed between 1998 and 2003, while the restoration of the wooden bridge was completed in 2005. An observation platform was also built for visitors to capture a better overview of Honmaru Ichimonjimon from an elevation.
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| The restored Honmaru Ichimonjimon. |
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Kajo Park 霞城公園
Kajo Park 霞城公園
Operating hours:
- 1 Apr to 31 Oct: 0500 - 2200 hrs
- 1 Nov to 31 Mar: 0530 - 2200 hrs
Free admission
How to get there?
(1) By bus.
From the bus terminal at Yamagata Station East Exit 山形駅東口, board Bekochan bus べこちゃんバス heading for downtown area and alight at Kajo Koen mae 霞城公園前.
(2) By foot. 15 mins walk from Yamagata Station East Exit 山形駅東口 to Higashi Otemon 東大手門.
