Japanese Castle Explorer

by Daniel O'Grady

       
Samurai's Blood Strongholds of the Samurai: Japanese Castles 250-1877

Shirakawa Castle

Images: Jcastle.info

白河城
Shirakawa Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Teikakushiki), and is located in Fukushima Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Mutsu Province. It is associated with the Niwa, Abe clans. Dates in use: 1340 - 1871.

This castle has a history longer than most. Almost 300 years after it had first been built, Niwa Nagashige breathed new life into the castle & renamed the castle from Komine to Shirakawa. Several clans governed this castle throughout the Edo period including four different branches of the Matsudaira clan.

Google Map Views (グーグルマップ)


Best view ベストビュー
Orbit view 軌道ビュー

Timeline

1340 Fortifications were built by Yuuki Chikatomo. It was then known as Komine Castle.
1627 Niwa Nagashige was transferred to the castle.
1628 Niwa Nagashige commenced a four-year restoration of the castle.
1632 The restoration was completed. The castle was then named Shirakawa Castle.
1868 The castle was destroyed in the Boshin war.
1992 The three story main tower was completed.
1994 The main gate was rebuilt.

Historical recognition

SiteNational Historic Site