Get to know the castle
Castle at a glance
- Site & layout
- Hilltop-and-lowland castle with stone walls
- Origins
- Mid-fourteenth-century origin; major rebuilding completed in 1632
- Builders & patrons
- Yuki Chikatomo, Niwa Nagashige and successors
- Other names
- Komine Castle
- What remains today
- Walls and enclosures; wooden reconstructions of turret and gate
THE STORY
The story behind the walls
The castle originated with Yuki Chikatomo in the mid-fourteenth century. Niwa Nagashige greatly rebuilt it, completing the Edo-period castle in 1632. It burned and fell during the 1868 Boshin War fighting at Shirakawa. Modern reconstruction was followed by recovery from the 2011 earthquake; wall repairs finished in 2019.
LAYOUT & ARCHITECTURE
Read the landscape and the buildings.
Masonry defines the main enclosure on the hill and the surrounding terraces. The turret and entrance gate give form to the inner defences. Their reconstruction combines Edo-period measured drawings with archaeological evidence.
A CLOSER LOOK
Details worth a closer look.
Three-storey turret
The turret was reconstructed in timber in 1991 using drawings and excavation evidence. It is a reconstructed turret, not an original keep.
Maegomon Gate
The main enclosure’s entrance gate was reconstructed in wood in 1994. Its relationship with the turret helps explain the defended approach.
Repaired stone walls
The walls suffered severe damage in the 2011 earthquake and were repaired using traditional methods. Their recovery is part of the castle’s modern history.
THROUGH THE YEARS
A short timeline
- 1632
Niwa Nagashige’s rebuilding was completed.
- 1868
The castle burned and fell in the Boshin War.
- 1991
The turret was reconstructed in timber.
- 2019
Earthquake-damaged wall repairs were completed.
BEFORE YOU GO
A note before you go.
Reconstruction works, including the Shimizu Gate project, may alter routes. Check Shirakawa City’s current turret opening and access information.
Information checked: 27 September 2026
Sources & official information
Some official sources are available in Japanese only.
