{"id":1916,"date":"2025-12-11T18:45:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T09:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/higashi-akadani-continuous-tunnel-_copied\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:50:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T02:50:39","slug":"shibata-castle","status":"publish","type":"spot","link":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/","title":{"rendered":"Shibata Castle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\"><\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#What_Is_Shibata_Castle\" >What Is Shibata Castle?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#Highlights_of_Shibata_Castle\" >Highlights of Shibata Castle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#How_to_Enjoy_Your_Time_at_Shibata_Castle\" >How to Enjoy Your Time at Shibata Castle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#Basic_Information\" >Basic Information<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#Access\" >Access<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#Recommended_Nearby_Ryokans\" >Recommended Nearby Ryokans<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#Ne\" >N\u00e9<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/shibata-castle\/#Nearby_Accommodations\" >Nearby Accommodations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-shibata-castle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Shibata_Castle\"><\/span>What Is Shibata Castle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shibata Castle is a flatland castle located in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, and it served as the administrative center of the Shibata Domain during the Edo period. Also known as Ayame Castle, it is valued today as a rare historic site where several castle structures still remain. Utilizing the Kajigawa River as its outer moat, the castle layout included the Honmaru and Ninomaru areas, and it is the only castle site in the prefecture where Edo-period castle architecture still exists. It has also been selected as one of the \u201cJapan\u2019s Top 100 Castles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The three-story turret located at the northwest corner of the Honmaru is called the Sankai Yagura and functioned as the castle\u2019s actual tenshu (main keep). This turret is highly distinctive: the roof forms a T-shape, and atop the ridge sit three golden shachihoko ornaments. Normally, castles feature only two, making this a unique sight found only at Shibata Castle. The exterior walls are finished with white and black namako-kabe (sea-cucumber plasterwork), a feature used to help withstand Echigo\u2019s heavy snowfall. The Honmaru Front Gate and the Ninomaru Corner Turret also survive in their original forms and are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"spot-middle-banner-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/32989078_m.webp\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"highlights-of-shibata-castle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Highlights_of_Shibata_Castle\"><\/span>Highlights of Shibata Castle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shibata Castle is a flatland castle located in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, and it served as the administrative center of the Shibata Domain during the Edo period. Also known as Ayame Castle, it is valued today as a rare historic site where several castle structures still remain. Utilizing the Kajigawa River as its outer moat, the castle layout included the Honmaru and Ninomaru areas, and it is the only castle site in the prefecture where Edo-period castle architecture still exists. It has also been selected as one of the \u201cJapan\u2019s Top 100 Castles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The three-story turret located at the northwest corner of the Honmaru is called the Sankai Yagura and functioned as the castle\u2019s actual tenshu (main keep). This turret is highly distinctive: the roof forms a T-shape, and atop the ridge sit three golden shachihoko ornaments. Normally, castles feature only two, making this a unique sight found only at Shibata Castle. The exterior walls are finished with white and black namako-kabe (sea-cucumber plasterwork), a feature used to help withstand Echigo\u2019s heavy snowfall. The Honmaru Front Gate and the Ninomaru Corner Turret also survive in their original forms and are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n  <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives\">\n    <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__list\">\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"1\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/31751085_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"1\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/31751085_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1ebc84b96fb57dd37b41610382576f2aa5dcbd37fd157d7a6ab3c6cffb8ca21d?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>OsakiYohei<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\">Shibata Castle in autumn<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"2\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/33609576_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"2\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/33609576_m.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1ebc84b96fb57dd37b41610382576f2aa5dcbd37fd157d7a6ab3c6cffb8ca21d?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>OsakiYohei<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\">Statue of the legendary samurai Horibe Yasubei<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-liquid-speech-balloon liquid-speech-balloon-wrap liquid-speech-balloon-00\"><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-avatar\"><\/div><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-text\"><p>The exterior features a beautiful contrast of black and white. You can also enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring and vibrant autumn leaves in the fall.<\/p><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-arrow\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-enjoy-your-time-at-shibata-castle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Enjoy_Your_Time_at_Shibata_Castle\"><\/span>How to Enjoy Your Time at Shibata Castle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shibata Castle has been developed into a castle park, allowing visitors to stroll leisurely across its grassy lawns and along the pathways beside the moat. In spring, about 290 cherry trees\u2014including Somei Yoshino and Yaezakura (260 Somei, 30 Yaezakura)\u2014bloom throughout the grounds, and lanterns are lit for enjoying the cherry blossoms at night. In autumn, the foliage turns vibrant colors, and in winter, the castle transforms into a serene snowy landscape, offering different atmospheres throughout the year. During cherry blossom season, nighttime illumination with lanterns is also held, creating a special scene where the reflections of the sakura and the castle shimmer on the moat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Photos taken with the Honmaru Front Gate, the Ninomaru Corner Turret, and the Sankai Yagura as backdrops are particularly striking. Shots that incorporate the castle gate reflected in the moat, or compositions featuring spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, are highly recommended. The combination of night sakura and the illuminated white castle walls creates a dreamlike view, attracting many photographers and visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The castle grounds are well-maintained as a public park, with paved areas and stone steps that make it easy to walk even with young children. A gentle slope leads up to the remains of the Honmaru, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the castle town and the stone walls of the Ninomaru. Walking close to the stone walls and earthen embankments allows you to feel as though you are reliving a castle siege from centuries past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-right\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/32471903_m-1024x768.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/32471903_m-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/32471903_m-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/32471903_m-1x1.webp 1w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/32471903_m.webp 1135w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"http:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/23166757_m-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/23166757_m-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/23166757_m-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/23166757_m-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/23166757_m-2x1.webp 2w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/23166757_m.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basic-information\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_Information\"><\/span>Basic Information<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Spot Name\uff1aShibata Castle<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening Hours:<br>\u30fbApril\u2013October: 9:00\u201317:00<br>\u30fbNovember: 9:00\u201316:30<br>\u30fbDecember\u2013late March: Closed for winter<br>\u3000The castle may reopen in late March depending on snow conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fees\uff1aFree<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"access\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Access\"><\/span>Access<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3145.956624992633!2d139.32360427532328!3d37.95479875177048!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5f8b316b2f0f6bd3%3A0xc69907e2f0a5144!2z5paw55m655Sw5Z-O6Leh!5e0!3m2!1sja!2sjp!4v1766051742611!5m2!1sja!2sjp\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Adress\uff1aOtemachi 6-chome, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Access\uff1a<br>\u30fb<strong>Train:<\/strong> About 20 minutes on foot from JR Uetsu Main Line \/ Hakushin Line \u201cShibata Station.\u201d<br>\u30fb<strong>Car:<\/strong> About 10 minutes from the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway <em>Seiro-Shibata IC<\/em> via National Route 7.<br><em>Rental bicycles are available in front of the station (April\u2013November), which are convenient for sightseeing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parking\uff1a<br>\u30fb<strong>Inside the castle park:<\/strong> 10 regular cars, 5 large buses<br>\u30fb<strong>Large Parking Lot (3 min walk):<\/strong> 163 spaces (free)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Notes:<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>During the winter closure period (December\u2013late March), entry into the castle grounds is not permitted.<br>The Sankai Yagura is located within the Self-Defense Force premises and is off-limits.<br>Drinking alcohol and barbecues are not allowed inside the castle grounds.<br>Photography is permitted, but drone flights are restricted.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"pickup-ryokan-banner\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ne_226_PR-2-scaled.webp);\">\n        <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-wrapper\">\n            <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-banner-header\">\n                <h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recommended_Nearby_Ryokans\"><\/span>Recommended Nearby Ryokans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-info\">\n                <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-titleset\">\n                    <h3 class=\"pickup-ryokan-name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ne\"><\/span>N\u00e9<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"pickup-ryokan-description\">Auberge \u2018N\u00e9\u2019 opened in October 2025 in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, as an exclusive one-group-per-day stay-and-dine experience. The name \u2018N\u00e9\u2019 carries dual meanings: \u2018\u6839 (root)\u2019 in Japanese and \u2018born\u2019 in French, reflecting the concept of creating new value by making abundant use of Niigata\u2019s local blessings.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <a class=\"pickup-ryokan-button text-white bg-brand\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/ne\/\">View More ><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nearby-accommodations\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nearby_Accommodations\"><\/span>Nearby Accommodations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"ryokan-cards\"><div class=\"ryokan-card\">\n            <a class=\"ryokan-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/ne\/\">\n                <figure class=\"ryokan-card__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ne_226_PR-2-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"N\u00e9\"\/><\/figure>\n                <div class=\"ryokan-card__titleset\">\n                    <div class=\"ryokan-card__title-wrapper\">\n                        <span class=\"ryokan-card__title\">N\u00e9<\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ryokan-card__area-info\">Niigata Prefecture<\/p>\n                    <\/div><ul class=\"ryokan-card__tag-list\"><\/ul><\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Shibata Castle? Shibata Castle is a flatland castle located in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, and it served as the administrative center of the Shibata Domain during the Edo period. Also known as Ayame Castle, it is valued today as a rare historic site where several castle structures still remain. Utilizing the Kajigawa River as its outer moat, the castle layout included the Honmaru and Ninomaru areas, and it is the only castle site in the prefecture where Edo-period castle architecture still exists. It has also been selected as one of the \u201cJapan\u2019s Top 100 Castles.\u201d The three-story turret located at the northwest corner of the Honmaru is called the Sankai Yagura and functioned as the castle\u2019s actual tenshu (main keep). This turret is highly distinctive: the roof forms a T-shape, and atop the ridge sit three golden shachihoko ornaments. Normally, castles feature only two, making this a unique sight found only at Shibata Castle. The exterior walls are finished with white and <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1919,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true},"area":[82],"purpose":[],"ryokan-tags":[106,108,110],"spot-category":[],"class_list":["post-1916","spot","type-spot","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","area-shibata","ryokan_tag-access-by-public-transport","ryokan_tag-car-free-trip","ryokan_tag-free-parking"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot\/1916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/spot"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area?post=1916"},{"taxonomy":"purpose","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/purpose?post=1916"},{"taxonomy":"ryokan_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ryokan-tags?post=1916"},{"taxonomy":"spot-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot-category?post=1916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}