Sendai Castle was built by order of the lord Date Masamune. Commonly called "Aoba Castle," it has been the center of the clan government for 270 years.
However, after the Meiji era (1868-1912), the castle was used for the army, and many buildings were demolished. Most of the remaining structures, including the Otemon Gate, were destroyed in the Sendai air raids of World War II. Today, the area is maintained as a park, where stonewalls, the reconstructed "Wakiyagura (side turret)" of the Otemon Gate, and the earthen wall on the north side of Otemon Gate can be seen.
The park is home to a statue of Masamune Date mounted on a horse, a symbol of Sendai, which is illuminated at night. Surrounded by high ground, the park offers a panoramic view of the city of Sendai, known as the "City of Trees.
The Aoba Castle Museum and Exhibition Hall, located next to the park, is a facility where visitors can learn about the history of Sendai Castle through actual materials, dioramas, and CG reconstruction images of Sendai Castle. Cool Gojouin (castle seals of Sendai Castle) is on sale here. Visitors can also enjoy "Sendai Castle VR Go," which allows you to visualize the face of Sendai Castle using VR equipment.
Highlights
-
Take a commemorative photo with the monument of Lord Date Masamune riding a horse.
-
You can learn the history of the castle at the museum.
-
There are also contents using the latest VR equipment.