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Shibata Castle

新潟県

3.9

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

A castle built using a technique that emphasizes beauty.

This castle was built using a technique that prioritizes aesthetics, with the stone walls carefully constructed using a technique called "kirikomi-agi" to ensure there are no gaps. Its beautiful appearance can be appreciated in every season, and during cherry blossom season, the castle is illuminated and lanterns are hung, allowing visitors to enjoy the nighttime cherry blossoms.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic Cherry blossomHistoryRainny day

Highlights

Point 1

The Only Three Shachihoko in Japan!

The main attraction of Shibata Castle is the three-story turret that was restored in 2004. The roof ridge is shaped like a cross, and it has a rare Japanese-style roof with three shachihoko on top, one male and two females. There is no record of why three shachihoko, which are usually in pairs of male and female, are displayed. In fact, Shibata Castle was destroyed in a fire in 1668, and it may have been to prevent another fire that people placed three shachihoko, which are protective gods against fire, on the roof.

Point 2

Valuable Castle Architecture Existing Since the Edo Period

The main gate and former second bailey turret of Shibata Castle disappeared along with the triple turret in a fire in 1668, but were rebuilt in 1732. The main gate is a two-story turret gate with namako walls. Namako walls are a wall painting style unique to the northern regions, where flat tiles are arranged on the wall surface and then plastered with putty in the joints before painting. When you visit, be sure to pay attention to the raised joints on the walls!

Point 3

Get a Stamp as a Souvenir of Your Visit!

画像引用：しばた観光ガイド

At the Yasubei Tea House (from December to March, the Sanjo City Tourist Center) located in front of the Shinpata Castle, you can buy an original stamp of Shinpata Castle. The price is 300 yen per stamp. The stamp is written in gold on purple paper, with the words "Shinpata Castle" in a very cool design! In addition, the crest of the Mizoguchi family, the lord of Shinpata, is designed with the "Mizoguchi diamond (five-story diamond/scratched diamond)". Why not buy one as a souvenir of your visit?

Point 4

A Must-See View of the Castle with Cherry Blossoms and Irises

In April, large cherry blossoms bloom beside the old Ninomaru and Mitsuishi towers, offering a beautiful view of the castle and cherry blossoms. Additionally, Shinhodaka Castle is also known as the "Ayame Castle," and in June, irises bloom in the flower beds at Shibata Castle Site Park. Depending on the location, you can also take photos of the irises and towers, so be sure to look for great photo spots! Furthermore, the charm of Shinhodaka Castle is that you can enjoy different views throughout the year, such as autumn leaves and winter snowscapes.

Point 5

Fireworks and Castle Architecture Co-Starring!

Every year in the latter half of August, the "Shibata Castle Town Festival" is held, featuring a city fireworks display as part of the program. The fireworks can be viewed from Shibata Castle Ruins Park, allowing you to see both the Shibata Castle and the fireworks. Why not enjoy the large and powerful fireworks unique to Niigata Prefecture along with the sight of Shibata Castle? In addition to the fireworks, there are other programs such as ethnic dances at the festival.

History

The Castle of Shinhadaka Shigeki, who Cornered the Uesugi Family

Shinhadaka Castle was originally the residence of Shinhadaka Shigeki, a warlord from the Sado region in northern Niigata Prefecture during the Warring States period. Shigeki was a vassal of the Uesugi family, but he rebelled against the head of the Uesugi family at the time and attacked Kasugajo, a castle town of the Uesugi family. However, the rebellion was suppressed by the Uesugi family, and Shinhadaka Shigeki committed suicide. Afterward, Hideshige Mizoeguchi entered the castle at the command of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and he began to build the current Shinhadaka Castle as the lord of the Shinhadaka domain. It was completed in 1654 during the reign of the third lord, Nobunaoshi.

Sightseeing

Stamp Rally for Japan's Top 100 Castles Available

Shibata Castle has been designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles due to its unique triple turret adorned with three shachihoko (mythical fish) and the former Ninomaru Sumiyagura turret, which has been designated as an important cultural property by the government. In addition, a stamp rally for Japan's Top 100 Castles, organized by the Japan Castle Foundation, is available. From April to November, stamps can be collected at the front gate of Shibata Castle, and from December to March, they can be collected at the main building of the city hall or the Hakabei Barracks Public Relations Historical Museum, as the castle is closed during this period.

Parking

Free Parking Available

There is a free parking lot located next to Shibata Castle in Shibata Castle Ruins Park. The number of parking spaces is not very large, with only 25 available. Usually, there are no problems with parking, but during peak seasons such as cherry blossom and iris season when visitors increase, it is recommended to check nearby parking lots in advance.

Basic Information

	Address	6-4 Otemachi, Shibata-shi, Niigata 957-0052
	Business Hours	9:00～17:00
	TEL	0254-22-9534
	Web Site	http://www.city.shibata.lg.jp/shisetsu/kanko/kanko/1005061.html

Average Review

3.9

5 Reviews

新発田市内をぶらぶらと散策しながら訪問。駅から歩くと、20分以上かかるのではないかと思います。コミュニティバスも走っていますが本数は少ないですね。レンタサイクルを使っている方もいらっしゃいました。お堀を越えて表門から入ると、堀部安兵衛の像が敷地の中央に建てられています。ただ、彼の父親が新発田藩をお役御免になってから、お家の再興はできなかったということなので、ここに銅像があるというのは、彼としては複雑な心情なのでは？と思ったりもします。天守閣はなく、表門と二ノ丸隅櫓が江戸時代のものが残されていて、中を見学することも出来ます。4月中旬の時期は、桜との組み合わせがいいですね。自衛隊の駐屯地が隣接していて…というより、城跡の中に駐屯地があって三階櫓は駐屯地の敷地にあります。なんだか不思議な光景ですね。

別名「あやめ城」とも呼ばれていて三階櫓は三匹の鯱を配する珍しいものだそうですが古写真等を基に復元されたものです。 100名城という事で楽しみにしていましたが、武家諸法度後の築城なので天守閣はありません。現在は自衛隊駐屯地となっていて見学不可。表門と旧二の丸隅櫓は見学出来ました。

復元された全国的に珍しい三匹の鯱の三階櫓が見たくて4月9日訪問。ちょうどサクラが満開できれいでした。本丸表門と旧二の丸隅櫓に入ることも出来満足しました。

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