Aoba Castle? Sendai Castle? Introducing the Sendai domain base built by Date Masamune!

Chimon
2018.05.23
Last updated: 2024.04.8

table of contents

1 Aoba Castle? Sendai Castle? Which one is correct?
2 What is there at Aoba Castle Ruins?
3 summary
- 3.1 Sendai Castle＜Information＞

Approximately 12 minutes by car from Sendai Station.
A castle that ruled Sendai once stood on Aobayama overlooking the city.
The castle, called Aoba Castle, was built by Date Masamune and continues to be loved by locals even after it has disappeared.

Now, the site where Aoba Castle was built is now famous as a tourist destination representing Sendai City.
In this article, we will introduce Aoba Castle.

Aoba Castle? Sendai Castle? Which one is correct?

If you go to Aobayama Park in the Aoba Castle ruins, you will see the names of facilities such as the Aoba Castle Exhibition Museum and the Aoba Castle Honmaru Kaikan.
Since it is a facility related to Aoba Castle, it is only natural that it bears the name Aoba Castle.
However, on the other hand, there is also a building called Sendai Castle Observatory.
What exactly does this mean?

You can also see the name Sendai Castle in the title of the CG corner that you can experience inside the Aoba Castle Exhibition Museum.
This means that although it is one castle, it has two names: ``Aoba Castle'' and ``Sendai Castle.''
Which name is correct, "Aoba Castle" or "Sendai Castle"?

Aoba Castle's official name is "Sendai Castle".
The name "Aoba Castle" is the official name for Sendai Castle.
It was like two names given to it because it was built in Aobayama. In Sendai, the official name Aoba Castle has been more popular than Sendai Castle for some time, but since it was registered as a historic site ``Sendai Castle Ruins'' in 2003, the name Sendai Castle has become more popular, mainly in the media. I am.
In addition, Sendai Castle also has another name, Gojoro, based on one theory called ``Sendai Hatsumi Gojoro'' in a collection of Chinese poems called ``Song-titled Senyukan,'' which is the origin of Sendai's name.

What is there at Aoba Castle Ruins?

Aoba Castle Ruins is lined with various facilities where you can look back on Sendai's past, shops where you can buy souvenirs, and restaurants.
Here, we will introduce the facilities at Aoba Castle Ruins.

Aoba Castle Exhibition Museum

As the name suggests, this is a museum that displays materials related to Aoba Castle.
The permanent exhibition mainly introduces the life of Date Masamune.
Actual materials and models related to the Date family, Sendai domain, and Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle) are also on display, so it's a must-see for history buffs!

Using a 100-inch large monitor that can be operated with a touch panel, you can enjoy the third part of the CG, ``Virtual Sendai - Revival of Sendai Castle and Castle Town.''
Not only Sendai Castle and its castle town, but also the residence of Kojuro Katakura, the residence of the Mizusawa Date family, and the residence of the Tome Date family have been reconstructed using CG, and some of them can be freely explored on the screen by touch panel operation, so you can enjoy the Edo period. You will be able to experience the feeling of being a resident of the Sendai clan living in the era.

Date Masamune equestrian statue

In the past, the Date Masamune statue in Sendai referred to the Date Masamune statue located inside Sendai Station, but now the Aoba Castle ruins is the only place in Sendai where you can see an equestrian statue of Masamune.

The current bronze statue was built in 1962, and the previous concrete statue was relocated to Iwadeyama Castle.

Doi Bansui statue

This is a statue of Doi Bansui, a composer from Sendai who composed "Kojo no Tsuki."

In front of his statue, his signature song "Kojo no Tsuki" is played automatically once every hour from 9:00 to 18:00.

Sendai Castle Museum

A facility built on the site of Sendai Castle's main enclosure.
There are exhibits about the main hall and the highlights of Sendai Castle.

Aoba Castle Honmaru Hall

This is a facility where Aoba Castle's famous stores and restaurants gather.
The shop, Aoba Castle Meitenkan, is lined with shops including directly managed stores of companies that handle Sendai's famous sweets and sweets, such as Kasho Sanzen, Date no Gyutan Honpo, Kanezaki, and Ajikasa.

There are 7 restaurants.
There are not only restaurants where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine, such as skewers and soba restaurants, restaurants directly managed by Date no Gyutan, but also coffee shops such as sweet cafes and parlors, so you can enjoy not only lunch but also tea breaks. It can also be used for

Miyagi Prefecture Gokoku Shrine

Founded in 1903.
This shrine was built to enshrine the spirits of people from Miyagi Prefecture who sacrificed their lives for Japan in campaigns from the Meiji Restoration to the Greater East Asia War.

summary

Speaking of Sendai, it is Date Masamune.
Aoba Castle, built by Masamune to rule Sendai, is still a tourist spot loved by citizens and tourists.

After touring the Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins), take a look at the city of Sendai from the plaza with the equestrian statue.
After taking in the history, you may be able to find a different charm from the scenery of Sendai!

By the way, near the main gate of the Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins), there is a stone monument that is thought to be engraved with the symbol of the secret society Freemasons. If you like urban legends and mystery spots, it might be a good idea to check it out as well!