IwateLeisure

Kunohe Castle Ruins (九戸城跡)

Flow of the course

About 60 min here

About 15 min to the next stop

Next stop: An observation deck overlooking Otokogami Rock and Megami Rock, symbols of Ninohe City. A spectacular view of huge rocks said to be Japan's largest example of a ‘married couple’ rock pair unfolds here.

About this spot

A nationally designated historic site known as the stage of the Kunohe Masazane Rebellion, a conflict between the Nanbu clan and the Kunohe clan in the late Sengoku period. Earthen ramparts and moat remains still stand across the vast castle grounds, and in summer you can take a leisurely walk around the greenery-covered ruins. No showy buildings remain, but simply tracing the undulating terrain lets you feel the scale of a Sengoku-era mountain castle. It is a great spot not only for history-loving families but also for anyone who enjoys walking across wide lawns.

Tips

About 10 minutes by car from central Ninohe. Some areas are unpaved, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. There is little shade from the sun in summer, so bring a hat and something to drink. The next spot is about a 15-minute drive away.