When it comes to Nara Prefecture in Japan, we can't help but mention the famous ancient temples and shrines like Horyu-ji Temple, Todai-ji Temple, and Kasuga Grand Shrine, known for their World Heritage status.
Between Ikaruga Town, home to the World Heritage site Horyu-ji Temple, and Nara City, where you can find the splendid temples of Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji, as well as Nara Park, there lies another charming town called Yamatokoriyama City.
The center of Yamatokoriyama City is a castle town that was built in the late 16th century around Yamatokoriyama Castle. The castle ruins have become one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.
Yamatokoriyama Castle during the day
The location of Yamatokoriyama Castle ruins is indicated on the map below.
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by train from Kansai Airport to JR Koriyama Station, and approximately 2 hours to Kintetsu Koriyama Station. The closest station to the castle ruins is Kintetsu Koriyama Station, but if you are coming from Kansai Airport, using JR Koriyama Station might be faster.
The beautiful season when the cherry blossoms at Yamatokoriyama Castle are in full bloom usually starts around the end of March to early April each year. During this time, the "Oshiro-Matsuri（Castle Festival)" event takes place annually.
This is the Ottemukai-yagura, a building that was reconstructed in 1987. In Japan, with the end of the samurai era and the Edo period during the Meiji Restoration, the new government issued an order in 1873 to demolish all the castles throughout the country. As a result, all the buildings of Yamatokoriyama Castle were destroyed at that time.
For a long time, only the stone walls remained at the site of Yamatokoriyama Castle. However, in the 1980s, restoration and preservation efforts focused on the area near the main entrance of the castle, known as Otteiguchi, were carried out to restore the castle ruins.
This is the Ottemon gate, which was the first structure to be reconstructed at Yamatokoriyama Castle in 1983. It serves as the entrance to the central part of the castle.
Can you see if there are windows on the building above the gate?
Actually, these windows are arrow slits used for shooting guns and arrows.
As shown in the photo below, the Otteiguchi (main entrance) of Yamatokoriyama Castle is surrounded by stone walls and yagura (turrets) in three directions.
This creates a space where the defenders of the castle can unleash a crossfire not only from the front but also from the rear and sides, effectively countering enemy soldiers rushing towards the gate.
This type of structure is known as "Masugata" in Japanese castle architecture
This is the "Gokuraku Bridge" reconstructed in 2021.
Gokuraku Bridge was the official route leading to the central part of the castle until it was demolished in the late 19th century. After more than a century, it has been rebuilt, preserving its historical significance.
The area near Yanagisawa Shrine in the central part of the castle is also a beautiful spot for cherry blossoms.
Yanagisawa Shrine was established after the castle was abolished in the late 19th century.
The enshrined deity is Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa, the first lord of the Yanagisawa family, who ruled Yamatokoriyama.
This is the Tenshudai, where the five-story main keep, the central structure of the castle, once stood.
The stone walls of this Tenshudai exhibit numerous "Tenyōseki" or "reused stones" as there was a shortage of stones during its construction. Many of these stones were sourced from the nearby area and repurposed, resulting in their abundant presence throughout the structure.
For example, this particular stone here was repurposed from the foundation stone of a gate in Heijō-kyō, the ancient capital located in Nara.
This stone here is a reused stone that was repurposed from a stone Buddha statue, and it is commonly known as the "Sakasa(Upside-down) Jizo."
Repurposing stone Buddha statues? How audaciously daring!
The view of the Tenshudai, visible through the gaps of cherry blossoms, is a truly beautiful sight.
This is the view from the Tenshudai.
With fewer tall buildings within its towns, Nara Prefecture offers unobstructed views and outstanding panoramas.
YO-ZAKURA(Nighttime cherry blossoms)
During the Oshiro-Matsuri at Yamatokoriyama Castle, cherry blossoms and the castle ruins are illuminated at night.
The entire castle ruins are illuminated, creating a mesmerizing and fantastical atmosphere.
The cherry blossoms near Yanagisawa Shrine.
There are rows of goldfish tanks in front of the main shrine of Yanagisawa Shrine.
Actually, Yamatokoriyama City has the highest goldfish production in Japan.
That's why every year during the Oshiro-Matsuri, Yanagisawa Shrine displays goldfish from Yamatokoriyama City.
The city's mascot character is also a goldfish, making goldfish a symbol of Yamatokoriyama City.
The Tenshudai is also beautifully illuminated, showcasing its magnificence during the nighttime.
From the top of the Tenshudai, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the night scenery throughout Nara Prefecture.
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