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Castle · Sendai, Miyagi
Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle)
The site of Date Masamune’s castle atop Mount Aoba: stone walls, a rebuilt corner tower, the founder’s equestrian statue and a lookout over the city.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle) in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Discover
About Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle)
Sendai Castle, also called Aoba-jo, was begun around 1600 by Date Masamune on Mount Aoba, a rise protected by the Hirose River and a deep valley. It was the seat of the Sendai domain, one of the largest in the Edo period. It never had the typical main keep found at many Japanese castles: the center was a large audience hall.
Buildings were dismantled after the Meiji Restoration, and what remained, including the main gate, was lost in the 1945 bombings. Today you can see the stone walls, partially rebuilt after earthquakes, and a corner tower (wakiyagura) reconstructed in 1967 at the entrance of the old ascent path.
At the top, where the main hall once stood, are Masamune’s equestrian statue—wearing the crescent-moon helmet—and the Gokoku Shrine. The lookout offers views over central Sendai, the Hirose River and, on clear days, the Pacific Ocean. The small castle museum, the Aoba Castle Museum, shows a computer-generated reconstruction of the complex and objects from the period.
The visit to the summit is outdoors and free of charge; the museum has a separate fee. At the foot of the hill, near the river, are the Sendai City Museum, with the Date family collection, and the park with the former castle entrance. It’s common to combine this visit with Zuihoden on the opposite riverbank.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to enjoy the summit and lookout; around 90 minutes if you include the castle museum and the City Museum.
Best time
On clear days, for the view all the way to the sea. Late afternoon often offers good light over the city. In April the cherry trees in the park at the foot of the hill usually bloom. Confirm museum hours before you go.
How to get there
The Loople departs from Sendai Station and reaches the castle stop on the hill in about 20 minutes. On foot, from Kokusai Center subway station the climb takes about 20 minutes. There is parking at the top.
Tip
Take the bus up and walk down the old castle path, passing the reconstructed corner tower, to the Sendai City Museum and the subway.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle)
Does Sendai Castle have a main keep?
No, and it never did. The castle’s core was a large audience hall. Today only the stone walls, a reconstructed corner tower and the equestrian statue of Date Masamune remain.
Is there an entrance fee to enter the ruins of Sendai Castle?
There is no charge to enter the top area with the statue and the viewpoint. The castle museum, which includes a computer-graphics reconstruction, charges separately; check the current rates.
Where is the best view of Sendai?
From the lookout beside Masamune’s statue on Mount Aoba. From there you can see the city center, the Hirose River and, on clear days, the Pacific Ocean.
How long does the walk up take?
About 20 minutes from Kokusai Center subway station, via slopes and steps. Many people take the bus up and walk down.
Beyond the guide
