Throughout Japan, it is common to find many of the old castle remains. Some are still in good condition, and you can even go inside to look at the details. Most of them have been turned into museums so you can learn about the old days when the castle was built and managed by one of the Shogun’s (将軍、しょうぐん) during Sengoku(戦国、せんごく) period.

Kano Castle Ruins

Today, I would like to introduce you to the castle remains in my hometown, Gifu Japan. This ruin is unfortunately, just the site where the castle used to be, and you can now only see the surroundings; however, it is so unique in that you can almost imagine how it was like when the castle was actually there by looking at the whole area. When you first approach to the entrance of, “Kanojo(加納城、かのうじょう)”, means, Kano castle, (Kano is the name of the town; therefore the castle was named after its town.) you will notice the walls of stones surrounding the whole area.  This is true inside and outside. The whole place is surrounded by the stone wall like the one below. Inside the ruin is now a peaceful walk area. It is kept as relaxing space rather than children’s park since there is children’s park nearby.

If this castle was to remain as its original, it would have looked like this design below. (Info from Wikipedia)

Kano castle remained from 1602 through 1872. It is very unfortunate that we can’t see any part of the castle remains today. I really wish that they kept at least part of the structure from the original castle!

This castle ruins looks like this from the top view. It is right in the middle of the city, and you can just imagine how it was like when the castle was actually there.