Nihonmatsu Castle (Kasumigajo Park) 二本松城・霞ヶ城公園
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Nihonmatsu Castle, also popularly called Kasumigajo Castle, is on a low hill amid the flat plains of central Nihonmatsu, Fukushima. It is one of Japan's 100 Famous Castles as well as one of Japan's 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Sites.
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During the Edo Period, Nihonmatsu Castle was the residence of the Niwa clan who ruled Nihonmatsu. Approaching Kasumigajo Castle main entrance.
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Although it lacks a central tower or donjon, Nihonmatsu Castle features impressive stone walls and gate (reconstructed), not to mention many cherry tees and pine trees.
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Since the Honmaru central keep is on a hilltop, it affords great views of the city. Only a short hike to the top. Pine trees and castle wall.
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Nihonmatsu Castle is a National Historic Site. The castle is part of Kasumigajo Park.
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Near the main castle entrance is a statue of the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps who fought and died in the Boshin War.
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Statue of the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps at Nihonmatsu Castle, Fukushima.
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Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps at Nihonmatsu Castle, Fukushima. They were age 12 to 17 who fought and died in the Boshin War.
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Statue of poet Takamura Chieko (1886-1938). 高村 智恵子
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About the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps at Nihonmatsu Castle.
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Marker for Nihonmatsu Castle.
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Main entrance to Nihonmatsu Castle.
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The steps lead to Minowa Gate. 箕輪門
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Weeping cherry tree and Nihonmatsu Castle's Minowa Gate.
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Map of Kasumigajo Park.
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Minowa Gate was reconstructed in Aug. 1982 at a cost of 200 million yen. 箕輪門
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The original Minowa Gate burned down during the Boshin War (1868-69). It got its name from Minowa village near the castle where they procured the large logs for the gate. 箕輪門
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An "X" mark is the family crest of the Niwa Clan.
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Minowa Gate. 箕輪門
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Behind Minowa Gate. 箕輪門
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About Minowa Gate. 箕輪門
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Behind Minowa Gate. 箕輪門
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Steps on Minowa Gate. We cannot enter inside the gate. 箕輪門
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Large akamatsu pine trees next to Minowa Gate in Nihonmatsu Castle.
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About Minowa Gate's Akamatsu pine trees.
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Statue of Nihonmatsu native Yamada Osamu (1841-1921) who built Japan's first mechanized, private-sector silk milling factory on the castle grounds in 1873. 山田脩の銅像
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About Yamada Osamu. He even went to New York to sell his silk in 1877.
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Sannomaru keep. 三の丸跡
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Cherry blossoms in Sannomaru keep. 三の丸跡
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Aioi Waterfall is a small waterfall flowing into a pond. Built in 1934 using the natural terrain.
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About Aioi Waterfall.
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Stone marker indicating that Emperor Meiji came here.
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The Sannomaru area is fringed with cherry blossoms.
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Sannomaru has these fantastic-looking pine trees and cherry trees.
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Sannomaru has these fantastic-looking pine trees and cherry trees.
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Sannomaru has these fantastic-looking pine trees and cherry trees.
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Markers for a Famous Cherry Blossom Site.
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Tea ceremony house named Senshintei. 洗心亭
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Sannomaru
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Sannomaru
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From Sannomaru, there is a hiking trail going up the hill.
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Greenery area midway up to the top.
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Part of the path is covered with wood chips.
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Path covered with wood chips. No smoking here.
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Hikage Well in Nihonmatsu Castle, one of Japan's Three Famous Wells. 日影の井戸
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Hikage Well in Nihonmatsu Castle, one of Japan's Three Famous Wells. It is 16 meters deep. 日影の井戸
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About Hikage Well in Nihonmatsu Castle, one of Japan's Three Famous Wells. 日影の井戸
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Small shrine in front of Hikage Well in Nihonmatsu Castle, one of Japan's Three Famous Wells. 日影の井戸
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Steps going up to the top Honmaru keep, but it was roped off since it was deemed hazardous due to rock slides. There was no such warning before you climb up here.
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Hilltop Honmaru stone foundation.
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Karamete-mon Gate
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Karamete-mon Gate
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Karamete-mon Gate
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View from atop Karamete-mon Gate.
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About Karamete-mon Gate.
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From Karamete-mon Gate are these steps going to the hilltop Honmaru. This was also closed off to visitors due to mudslide.
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Steps going to the Honmaru. I noticed that people still were going up to the Honmaru.
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So I took my chances and quickly went up the stairs. Yes, there were signs of a mud slide. I had come all the way here from Tokyo.
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Finally at the Honmaru.
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Marker for the Kasumigajo Castle built in 1953.
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About the marker for the Kasumigajo Castle built in 1953.
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Nihonmatsu Castle's old stone wall originally built by Gamo Ujisato.
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About Nihonmatsu Castle's old stone wall originally built by Gamo Ujisato.
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Nihonmatsu Castle's old stone wall originally built by Gamo Ujisato.
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Nihonmatsu Castle's old stone wall originally built by Gamo Ujisato.
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Going to the top of the Honmaru stone foundation.
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Way up to the Honmaru.
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Panorama of Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.
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Marvelous views from Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.
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The city of Nihonmatsu as seen from Nihonmatsu Castle.
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Stone foundation of the central tower or donjon.
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Stone foundation of the central tower or donjon.
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Scenery guide on the stone foundation of Nihonmatsu Castle's central tower or donjon.
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View of the mountains.
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Marvelous views of cherry blossoms from Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.
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Marvelous views of cherry blossoms from Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps who fought and died in the Boshin War.
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps who fought and died in the Boshin War.
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps who fought and died in the Boshin War.
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About the Monument.
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps who fought and died in the Boshin War.
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai
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Many cherry trees in front of the Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai.
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Poetry monument for poet Takamura Chieko (1886-1938). 高村 智恵子
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About the Poetry monument for Takamura Chieko. 高村 智恵子
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Cherry blossom petals fall in the wind.
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