Yamagata Castle Ruin

The Yamagata Castle Ruins are one of Yamagata’s representative historic sites, located about a 10-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station. The current basic form is said to derive from a castle built by the 11th lord Mogami Yoshiaki and later renovated by Tadamasa Torii. It is a flatland castle with a ring-like structure: the Honmaru at the center, surrounded by the Ninomaru and Sannomaru, and it was a very large-scale castle. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1986 and recognized as one of Japan’s “100 Famous Castles” in 2006. Excavation and restoration projects are currently underway; the Ninomaru Higashi-Otemon Gate was restored in 1991, and the Koraimon Gate and earthen walls were restored in 2013. Looking ahead, the “Honmaru Kita-Masugata” is expected to be restored by 2033. The ruins are close to major attractions such as Kajo Park, the Yamagata City Local Museum, and the Yamagata Prefectural Museum, so many people tour them together. In spring, about 1,500 cherry trees in Kajo Park beautifully color the castle surroundings. People spend time here in many ways—admiring the ruins, stone walls, and Mogami Yoshiaki statue, strolling leisurely, or watching the cute ducks swimming in the moat.