Aoba Castle (also known as Aoba-jo), built in the 1600s, has been long destroyed. However, in its place, the Aoba Ruins have been turned into a sprawling park with statues and historic memorabilia. The castles construction was ordered by Date Masamune, who was a powerful feudal lord. The castle was active from the early 1600s until it was destroyed in 1945, and the land was temporarily seized by the army of the United States. A statue of Date Masamune on a horse stands in the original location of the castle.
The Aoba Castle faced years of hardship from fires, sieges, and during World War II, Aoba Castle was carpet bombed by the USA, which ultimately brought the end to the castle. The castle structures are long gone, but the the original stone walls do still exist in their original locations, so you can still get a sense of what the castle was actually like all those years ago.
The ruins of Aoba castle stand over 100 meters over the town on Mount Aoba, which has created a popular sightseeing spot for the locals and tourists who visit the city. The early morning is the best time to visit Aoba Castle, as you can watch the sun rise over Sendai.
In the ruins, you can also find the Aoba Castle Museum, and the Sendai City Museum. Inside the Aoba Castle Museum, you can find many of the relics, along with models depicting the original castle design.
Hours and Admission
- Aoba Castle Museum
- Hours: 9:00am to 4:20pm (3:40pm from November to March) - Last entry 30 minutes before closing
- 700JPY (Musuem only)
- Average Time Spent: 1 Hour
- Official Website
Accessing Aoba Castle
Aoba Castle is a short walk from the International Center Train station along the Tozai Subway line, which can be boarded from Sendai Station. This will take 5 minutes and cost 210JPY one way. From the station, you can expect to have a walk of about 10-20 minutes depending on your level of fitness.
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Where to Stay
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