Sagara Gokoku Shrine and Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins [Kumamoto]

【Sagara Gokoku Shrine summary】

Sagara Gokoku Shrine was built in 1880 and is located on the site of Hitoyoshi Castle (designated as a national historic site), which was the residence of the Sagara family that ruled the Hitoyoshi area of Kuma for 700 years. Hitoyoshi Castle is one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan.

【Sagara Gokoku Shrine precincts】

While there are many Myojin-type torii gates, this one is a Yasukuni torii gate. The shrine is surrounded by the moat and stone walls of the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle.

There is also a fairly large garden with a pond in which carp swim. It is also a park, so it is well cared for and a place of relaxation for the locals.

The stonewalls are the highlight of the site, as they are the ruins of a castle. The “warrior’s back” is a protruding stone like a rat’s back that is placed at the top of the castle wall to make it difficult for soldiers of the attacking side to climb the wall during a castle attack. In Japan, there are only a few of these stones in places such as Goryokaku, and Hitoyoshi Castle is probably the only one that has been in place for such a long period of time.

【Sagara Gokoku Shrine scenery】

The shrine was beautifully landscaped and was enveloped in a soft atmosphere. I was able to see the beautiful garden and visit the shrine with a refreshed feeling.

It is a castle ruins and a shrine of the Gokokujinja, so it may not be a good place for sightseeing, but during the cherry blossom season, it is a wonderful shrine and a famous place. We visited the shrine in the season of cherry blossoms, and were grateful to be able to come.

【Sagara Gokoku Shrine Access】

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Miyajitake Shrine and Okoba Station Area [Kumamoto] Okadome Kumanoza Shrine (Happiness Shrine) [Kumamoto] Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park [Aomori] Not mixed Shrines with beautiful cherry blossoms (Western Japan)