Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle)

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Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle)

The ruins of Sendai Castle with a panoramic view of Sendai City.

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Head Editor : Aoba Castle

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.

Photos

  • Monument of Lord Date Masamune on horseback at the ruins of the main citadel
©︎ Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association

    Monument of Lord Date Masamune on horseback at the ruins of the main citadel ©︎ Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association

  • "Wakiyagura(side turret)" of the Otemon Gate was restored in 1964.
©︎ Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association

    "Wakiyagura(side turret)" of the Otemon Gate was restored in 1964. ©︎ Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association

  • The castle was built at a natural fort with cliffs to the east and south
©︎ Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association

    The castle was built at a natural fort with cliffs to the east and south ©︎ Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association

  • Inside of the museum
©︎Aoba Castle Museum and Exhibition Hall

    Inside of the museum ©︎Aoba Castle Museum and Exhibition Hall

  • VR experience takes you back in time
©︎Aoba Castle Museum and Exhibition Hall

    VR experience takes you back in time ©︎Aoba Castle Museum and Exhibition Hall

Reviews

5

If the original text is in another language, the AI will automatically translate and display it.

    The park is pretty big, so you need to take your time exploring. If the weather's nice, you can get a great view of all of Sendai.

  • A must-visit historical site when you come to Sendai!

  • The view is amazing—you can see both the mountains and the sea.

  • You can see a statue of Date Masamune looking heroic on his strong horse. It really gives you a sense of Sendai’s rich history.

  • The most famous thing here is the statue of Date Masamune. You can also get a great view of downtown Sendai from here.

Details

Name in Japanese
仙台城跡(青葉城)
Postal Code
980-0862
Address
Sendai Jo Honmaru Ato, Aoba-Ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Telephone
Aoba Castle Museum and Exhibition Hall: 022-227-7077
Hours
Admission free (Aoba Castle Museum is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm. From Nov. to Mar, up to 4:00pm. Last Admission and VR reception 30 minutes before closing)
Admission
Aoba Castle Exhibition Hall:
Adults: 770 yen / Junior and senior high school students: 550 yen / Elementary school students: 330 yen
Sendai Castle VR Go:
Adults: 880 yen / Junior and senior high school students: 660 yen / Elementary school students: 550 yen
Directions
1) Take the Loople Sendai circular bus from Sendai Station and get off at Sendai Castle Ruins.
2) 15 minutes walk from Kokusai Center Station
3) 15 minutes drive from Sendai Miyagi IC
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)