Ne Castle

Ne Castle, located in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, is a historic Japanese castle site designated as a National Historic Site and selected as one of the "Japan's Top 100 Castles." The ruins are situated on a river terrace on the south bank of the Mabechi River, to the west of central Hachinohe, offering a strategic elevation for defense.

Ne Castle is a hirayama-style (hilltop) castle with a renkaku layout, consisting of five main enclosures: Honmaru (main bailey), Nakadate, Tōzenji, Okamaedate, and Sawari-date. Today, the primary visible remains include the Honmaru, Nakadate, and Tōzenji areas. These zones are connected by earthen embankments and dry moats, showcasing the typical medieval defensive architecture.

The Honmaru area has been reconstructed based on historical documents and archaeological findings. Key buildings such as the main hall, stables, workshops, blacksmith, storehouses, castle gates, and guard stations have been restored, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the daily life and functional layout of a medieval Japanese castle.

Ne Castle not only reflects the rule of the Nanbu clan but also represents the significance of the region as a military and administrative hub during the medieval period in Japan.