Shirakawa Castle (Komine Castle) was heavily damaged during the Boshin War (also known as the Meiji Restoration), and was restored in the 1990s.
Komine Castle's restoration marked the first time in over 120 years that a restoration had been attempted on a triple turret (yagura) structure. Blueprints from the late Edo Period were used as references for the repair of this structure.
As a result of using these blueprints, it was possible to restore the castle almost exclusively using wood construction techniques. This amazing architecture, along with the extraordinary techniques used to make the stone wall around the castle, make this castle extremely special. There is also an exhibition hall on site.
| Website | http://shirakawa315.com/eng/shirakawa_komine_castle.html |
|---|---|
| Contact |
Shirakawa Tourism and Local Products Association shirakawakankou@shirakawa-22-1147.jp |
| Best Season | All Year |
| Opening Hours |
Entry into the castle is possible during the hours below. Apr. to Oct.: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM | Nov. to Mar.: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Closed between Dec. 29 and Jan. 3 |
| Parking | Available |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Access | Kakunai, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-0074 View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Car: 10 min from Shirakawa Chuo Smart Exit (ETC only), or 15 min from Shirakawa I.C. exit on the Tohoku Expressway. By Train: 5 min walk from Shirakawa Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line; 10 min by taxi from Shin-Shirakawa Station (JR Tohoku Shinkansen) |
Shirakawa Daruma Market is held annually on February 11. On this date, the streets become lined for 1.5 km with stalls selling Daruma of all shapes and sizes. This lively, exciting market celebrates the culture and history of Shirakawa Daruma – a traditional doll which is characterised by h...
Try matcha green tea in a traditional tea house in Suirakuen Garden, located inside Nanko Park. Suirakuen Garden is also a popular place to visit for its fall foliage.
In 1801, Matsudaira Sadanobu, the twelfth Lord of Shirakawa, constructed a recreational area which was to be opened to anybody - regardless of status or family background. This recreational area turned into Nanko Park, which is considered to be the Japan's oldest public park. There are Yoshin...
This arched iron bridge crossing the Abukuma River is famous as a viewing point for the fresh green of early summer and brightly colored autumn leaves. The bridge is 81 meters long, and has a maximum height of 50 meters from the valley bottom, and you can enjoy the refreshing feeling of being tot...
Sazaedo is a Buddhist temple built in 1796. Its architecture is similar in shape similar to the shell of a horned turban (‘sazae’ in Japanese) hence its name ‘Sazaedo’. The inside of the temple consists of a double-helix slope, meaning that visitors who come to pray won&rs...
Aizu Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residence) is an historical open-air museum where visitors can learn about the history of Aizu and sample some of the specialty products of Fukushima. Stroll around the residences to take in traditional Japanese architecture, including the residence of Tanomo Saigo, t...
Nihonmatsu Castle was built in 1643 by Mitsushige Niwa, the first feudal lord of the Nihonmatsu Domain. This domain had command over a territory producing 100,000 koku of rice (one koku being the amount of rice needed to feed one man for a year) and Nihonmatsu Castle was one of the strategic poin...
Selected by Iwaki City as a Natural Monument, the great weeping cherry tree is over 500 years old. The flowers bloom slightly earlier than those of Yoshino cherry trees, and are lit up by traditional Japanese lanterns in the evenings of cherry blossom season. Stretching even further down than the...