私の感想～My Impression – ページ 76 – 日本200名城バイリンガル (Japan's top 200 castles and ruins)

110.Miharu Castle Part3

It is also a famous place for cherry blossoms.

Later History

After the Boshin War during the Meiji Restoration, Miharu Castle was abandoned. All the buildings and even most of the stone walls on the mountain were demolished and sold. Only the Main Hall for the lord was developed into the local government building. In 1922, the castle ruins on the mountain was developed as a park. Many of the remaining foundation of the castle was unfortunately destroyed, while lots of cherry trees were planted instead.

My Impression

I have learned a lot about how the local clans and Miharu Castle survived under difficult situations. The castle may be simpler than other popular castles like Wakamatsu Castle, but it also has an interesting history and distinct taste. I also hope some new discoveries about the castle will be found in the future. In addition, Miharu Town is very famous for cherry blossoms, especially Miharu Takizakura or The cherry blossom flowers that look like water falling down is about 4km away from the castle. However, the castle ruins also have great cherry blossoms and many other ones are around, too. I would like to visit the ruins in the spring next time.

The cherry blossom flowers that look like water falling down of Miharu *(taken by nana201855 from phtotoAC)*

The cherry blossom flowers in the ruins of Miharu Castle *(quoted from the website of Miharu Tourism Association)*

How to get There

If you want to go there by car:
It is about 15 minutes away from Funehiki-Miharu IC on the Banetsu Expressway.
The parking area is halfway up the mountain.
By train, it is about 30 minutes away from JR Miharu Station on foot.
I recommend using a taxi from the station to avoid getting lost.
To get to Miharu Station from Tokyo: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen super express and transfer at Koriyama Station to the Banetsu-Tou Line.

The parking area which is halfway up the mountain

Links and References

・Find! Miharu, Miharu Tourism Association

That’s all. Thank you.
Back to “Miharu Castle Part1”
Back to “Miharu Castle Part2”

110.三春城　その３

桜の名所でもあります。

その後

明治維新における戊辰戦争の後、三春城は廃城となりました。山の上の全ての建物とほとんどの石垣さえも撤去され、売られていきました。城主の御殿のみが地方庁舎として使われることになりました。1922年、山の上の城跡は公園として開発されました。残っていた多くの城の基礎部分はこのとき残念ながら破壊されてしまいました。一方で代わりに多くの桜の木が植えられたのです。

私の感想

地方領主たちと三春城がどうやって困難な状況を乗り切ってきたかを学ぶことができました。この城は、若松城のような他の有名な城と比べると地味かもしれませんが、興味深い歴史と独特な味わいがあります。将来、城に関する新しい発見があることを期待します。また、三春町は桜がとても有名なところで、城から約４ｋｍのところにある三春滝桜が特に知られています。しかし、城跡やその周辺でも素晴らしい桜を見ることができます。次回は是非春にここを訪れてみたいです。

三春滝桜 (taken by nana201855 from phtotoAC)

ここに行くには

車で行く場合：
磐越自動車道船引三春ICから約１５分かかります。
山の中腹に駐車場があります。
電車の場合は、ＪＲ三春駅から歩いて約３０分かかります。
道に迷わないようにするために、タクシーの利用をお勧めします。
東京から三春駅まで：東北新幹線に乗り、郡山駅で磐越東線に乗り換えてください。

リンク、参考情報

・三春城跡、Find! 三春【みはる観光協会】
・Web資料館、三春町歴史民俗資料館
・「日本の城改訂版第５７号」デアゴスティーニジャパン

これで終わります。ありがとうございました。
「三春城その１」に戻ります。
「三春城その２」に戻ります。

11.Nihonmatsu Castle Part3

Ruins with the view of beautiful flowers

Later History

After the Boshin War during the Meiji Restoration, Nihonmatsu Castle was abandoned and the few remaining buildings of the castle were all demolished. A silk mill was established in the Third Enclosure at the foot of the mountain and it was operational between 1873 and 1925. After World War II, the castle ruins became what is known today as Kasumigajo Park as a natural park while some buildings of the castle were rebuilt. The investigation and study for the castle have been done since 1990. The stone walls of the Main Enclosure were restored in 1995. The ruins were finally designated as a National Historic Site in 2006. Nihonmatsu City is now considering restoring the Main Hall in the Third Enclosure on the foot of the mountain.

The foot of the mountain at the castle ruins site

My Impression

Nihonmatsu City is known for the Chrysanthemum Figures which means “dolls clothed with chrysanthemum flowers and leaves”. The Chrysanthemum Show is held every autumn at Kasumigajo Park. The park itself is also famous for cherry blossoms, so the mountain of the park is covered with them in spring. In fact, if you look down from the top you will be surprised to see a carpet of flowers. Therefore I highly recommend you visit this castle in Spring and Autumn if possible.

The cherry blossoms like a carpet that can be seen from the top

Chrysanthemum figures exhibited at the Chrysanthemum Show *(taken by happy.mom from photoAC)*

How to get There

If you want to visit there by car:
It is about 10 minutes away from Nihonmatsu IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
The park offers plenty of paking spaces.
By train, it is about 20 minutes away from JR Nihonmatsu Station on foot.
To get to Nihonmatsu Station from Tokyo: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen super express and transfer at Koriyama Station to the Tohoku Line.

If you visit the ruins of Nihonmatsu Castle by train, you have to walk long from Nihonmatsu Station. The Old Oshu Road goes near the station, so turn right at the Nihonmatsu Station Ent. Intersection and go along the street. Then, turn left at the Kubochozaka Ent. Intersection. It’s an easy walk, but it’s on an incline called Kubochozaka on a hill to reach the ruins. This is one of the structures for the castle’s defense system. You will also see the remaining stone walls for the Main Gate on the way. When you go over the top of the hill, you will finally see the mountain where the castle was built.

The route from Nihonmatsu Station to the castle ruins