Yamagata Castle

Yamagata Castle, located in Kajo-machi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a historic Japanese castle also known as Kajo (霞城) or sometimes Kashiwagi Castle (吉字城). It is designated as a National Historic Site and is included in the list of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

The foundational structure of Yamagata Castle was established during the Sengoku period by the regional lord Mogami Yoshiaki, and it was later expanded and completed into its current scale during the Edo period under Torii Tadamasa. In the Edo period, the castle served as the administrative center of the Yamagata Domain, functioning as a key base for politics and military affairs in the region.

Today, the Honmaru (main bailey) and Ninomaru (second bailey) areas have been renovated into Kajo Park, which serves both as a recreational space for citizens and a popular sightseeing spot. The park used to contain several sports facilities, but in alignment with the city’s plan to emphasize the site’s historical value, these facilities are gradually being removed or relocated to restore the castle’s original landscape.

While most of the original buildings are no longer standing, some structures have been preserved by relocation. For example, the Oteminami Gate was moved to Bansho-ji Temple, and the main hall of Hokoin Temple is believed to have been relocated from the castle palace, and is now designated as a Yamagata Prefectural Cultural Property.

Yamagata City is currently planning a full-scale excavation of the Honmaru area by 2033, and is working on wooden reconstructions of structures like the Masugata Gate. Due to a lack of original blueprints and historical records, it is currently difficult to reconstruct larger buildings like the Honmaru Palace or Ichimonji-mon Turret, but other features such as the Koraimon (main gate) and earthen walls have been reconstructed based on historical research.

Notably, in a 2013 archaeological excavation, six pit dwellings from the Nara to Heian periods were discovered in the Sannomaru (third bailey) area, revealing that the site of Yamagata Castle had been inhabited since ancient times. These early settlements likely laid the foundation for the development of the castle town in later centuries.