Kakunodate

Introducing Kakunodate

This quiet castle town was founded in 1620 by the feudal lord Ashina Yoshikatsu, a member of the Satake clan. The location was considered ideal as it was relatively secure, being surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges. Kakunodate is known as ‘Little Kyoto’, a thoughtful, immersive experience for anyone interested in old Japan. The castle has gone but the feudal layout is very much intact. Wandering through Uchimachi – the samurai district, with its original homesteads surrounded by cherry trees and lush garden expanses – is a splendid way to pass a day, though you may have quite a bit of company during peak holiday times. In September 2005 it merged with nearby Tazawa-ko, but names have remained the same.