Sendai Castle Ruins

The Ruins Of Aoba Castle In Sendai, The Hilltop Seat Of Date Masamune, Where Stone Walls, A Rebuilt Turret And A Bronze Statue Of The One Eyed Lord Look Out Over The City. The Castle Itself Is Gone; The View And The Statue Are The Draw. · Sendai, Miyagi

Sendai Castle, also called Aoba Castle, stood on a hilltop above the Hirose River and was begun by the lord Date Masamune from about 1601 - confirm. No keep was ever rebuilt, so what remains is a set of old stone walls, a rebuilt turret - confirm which - and a bronze statue of Masamune on horseback that has become the most photographed spot on the hill. The real reason to come is the view: from the hilltop terrace you look down over the centre of Sendai and, on a clear day, toward the distant hills. Walking the grounds is free - confirm - and a small museum near the site charges a modest fee - confirm. It suits anyone with a free hour or two in Sendai, history readers and photographers more than people who want a castle to climb. Be honest with yourself: if you expect a tall white keep like Himeji, this will disappoint. Allow one to two hours with the bus ride. It is a good add-on to Zuihoden, a short trip away, and to a day around Sendai and Matsushima.

Aoba Castle Site, Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, a bus ride from Sendai Station up Mount Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

The hilltop grounds are open to walk at all hours and have no ticket gate, though paths are dim and quiet after dark and the shops and museum close earlier, commonly around 16:00 to 17:00 - confirm. The small castle museum keeps ordinary museum hours and may close on one weekday or for exhibit changes - confirm before going. From Sendai Station the tourist loop bus called Loople Sendai runs a circular route to the hill on a daily timetable, with a day pass that covers several stops - confirm times and price. A local city bus or a taxi also works, and a walk up from the Hirose River side is steep. Carry some cash and a rain layer. Nothing needs booking.

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