About
The Yamagata Castle ruins and its grounds are an expansive public Kajo park. And a lasting reminder of the powerful Momogami feudal lords that once ruled the region. It is a popular place to stroll, picnic and see cherry blossoms in spring.
Yamagata Castle (山形城) constructed in 1592 by Yoshiaki Mogami, one of Tohoku’s prominent feudal lords of Japan’s Civil War period. It recognised as one of Japan’s top 100 castles. It is located in the centre of Yamagata city, the castle grounds were opened to the public as Kajo Park after World War Two.
If you are planning visit to yamagata to see Yama-dera, Mount Zao etc. you must Yamagata Castle.
Thanks to the over 1,000 cherry blossom trees on the former castle grounds, Kajo Park is one of Yamagata’s best scenic locations for cherry blossoms. The row of cherry blossom trees along the east and south moats is illuminated during the peak blooming season.
Kajo Park yamagata sakura is good for nature lovers and photographers. You will have oppertunity do scenery photography and nature landscape photography, it’s so unreal experience. Check out cherry blossom photography in Ibaraki.
Besides the Yamagata Kyodokan, the park and the surrounding area have many cultural attractions popular with tourists. It includes the Yamagata Prefectural Museum, the Yamagata Museum of Art and the Yoshiaki Mogami Historical Museum.
Yamagata castle built in 1592 and headquarters of the Yamagata feudal lords through the 17th and 18th centuries. Yamagata castle (now Kajo Park) is the fifth largest castle in Japan.
Another attraction in Kajo Park is a former hospital turned medical museum. Built in 1877, the Saiseikan Museum displays historical medical instruments and supplies and was the first European-style building in the area. It’s worth visiting just for the unusual architecture.
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How To Get There
Address
By Train
From Tokyo to Yamagata Castle:
Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata (approx. 2.5 hours). From station, it is 10~15 mins walk. You can also take taxi from station exit gate.
By Bus
Get off at Beni-chan Bus “Kajo Koen Mae”
Drive your Car
About 15 to 20 minutes from the Yamagata Zao station on the Yamagata Expressway.
Note: Vehicles can only enter and exit from the north gate.
Go By Walk
- 15 minutes from the east exit of Yamagata Station to the East Otemon Gate
- 10 minutes from the West Exit of Yamagata Station to the South Gate
- 5 minutes from the bus stop “Kajo Koen-mae” to the East Otemon Gate
Yamagata Castle Opening Hours
Park is open all the day till 10 pm, however please check timing during new year.
- Jan 1st to Mar 31st – 5:30am-10:00pm
- Apr 1st to Oct 31st – 5:00am-10:00pm
- Nov 1st to Dec 31st – 5:30am-10:00pm
Cost
Train Cost
- From Tokyo: Shinkansen ¥11,340 + Approx ¥1,000 Taxi
Entry Fees to Yamagata Castle:
- Kajo park and yamagata castle is free to visit and is a great place to relax, unwind and explore on foot.
Important Links/Websites
- Kajo Park
- Japanese website (Translation Available)
- Bus Schedule Yamagata Castle
- Japanese Website (Translation Available)
- Yamagata Tourism Official Website
https://yamagatakanko.com/
