Shibata Castle

Architecture, patrimoine et histoire · Préfecture de Niigata

In the heart of the city of Shibata, in the north-east of Niigata Prefecture, Shibata Castle was the seat of the Mizoguchi clan for nearly three centuries. Installed in 1598 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the former lands of the Shibata clan, Mizoguchi Hidekatsu began building a flatland castle protected by moats, completed by his successors in 1654. The castle had no keep in the strict sense: a three-storey turret took its place, crowned by a T-shaped roof adorned with three shachihoko, an arrangement unique in Japan. Two original buildings have survived: the main gate (Omote-mon) and a corner turret of the former second bailey, both Important Cultural Properties. The three-storey turret and the Tatsumi turret were rebuilt in 2004 from old photographs and plans. Much of the enclosure is now occupied by a Ground Self-Defense Force base, so the main turret can only be seen from outside; the gate, the corner turret and the moats remain accessible in a public park, popular for its cherry blossoms, autumn leaves and snowy scenery.