Ruins of Makabe Castle

Makabe Castle was built in 1172 by MAKABE Nagamoto(? - ?). MAKABE Clan governed Makabe during the middle age until the end of the sixteenth century. At the beginning of the Edo Age (1603 - 1868) , MAKABE Clan moved to Akita, following their lord, SATAKE Clan.

After MAKABE Clan moved to Akita, ASANO Nagamasa (1547 - 1611) became the feudal lord of Makabe. In 1622, ASANO Nagashige (1588 - 1632) , the second feudal lord of Makabe Domain, obtained his new territory in Kasama and moved the capital of feudal domain to Kasama. Makabe Castle was abandoned.

Makabe Castle is located to the east from Makabe Downtown. I entered the castle from the north.

To the south, you will see Mt. Tzukuba. The altitude of Mt. Tsukuba is 877 meters. It is nominated as one of hundreds top mountains in Japan.

After you enter Makabe Castle from North, you will cross the Outer Moat.

The width of the moat is approximately ten meters. The earthworks (cray mounds) were made on the both sides of the moat. After crossing the outer moat. you are in the outer bailey of Makabe Castle. The main street in the site of the castle is running in the north-south direction.

At the western end of the outer moat, another moat is located between the central bailey. Beyond the moat, you will see Makabe Gymnastic Hall located on a small hill.

The Gymnastic Hall is located on the site of the main bailey of Makabe Castle.
To the south-east corner of Makabe Castle, Kashima Shrine is located.

Kashima Shrine was a guardian deity of Makabe Castle. When I visited, it was half year after the Great East Japan Earthquake. All stone lanterns remained as it fell.

Behind the shrine, the original earthworks (cray mounds) remain. From the earthworks, you will look down on the shrine.

If you walk on the main street in the castl further to the south, you will come to the south entrance of Makabe Castle. There used to be the main gate of Makabe Castle. The gate would have a square shape area,

On the both side of the south entrance, earthworks (cray mounds) continues.

These earthworks were restored and they are seven meters in height. The below picture shows the Gymnastic Hall, located on the site of the main bailey of Makabe Castle. Unfortunately, the site of the main bailey was destroyed when it was built.

Makabe Castle was active during the middle age. Makabe Castle was a larger castle than I thought, as a middle age castle. At Makabe Castle, excavational investigations and restorations of moats and earthworks have been on going. The atmosphere of Makabe Castle in the middle age is being revived.

How to get there
From Tokyo, take a train on the Jyoban Line to Tsuchiura. From Tsuchiura, take a bus to Tsukuba-San Guchi. Take another bus bound for Iwase-Chosha. Take off a bus at Kamishuku Bus Stop. The site of Makabe Castle is walking distance.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Kairakuen Park
Ruins of Kasama Castle
Kasama Castle Town
Historical Town, Makabe
Shimodate Castle Town