Japan Guide
Northern Honshū
Tsuruga-jō
The north gate of Tsuruga-jō stands fifteen minutes' walk southwest of Oyaku-en. Its imposing entrance lies over a moat, between massive stone ramparts, inside which the dainty white keep seems rather dwarfed. Originally built in 1384, the castle was besieged by Meiji troops for several months in 1868, before the Aizu clan finally surrendered. The new government ordered it to be demolished and it lay in ruins until 1965, when the central keep was rebuilt – it now houses an uninteresting local history museum – and the gardens were landscaped. Opening time: Daily 8.30am–4.30pm; closed first weeks of July & DecPrice: ¥400