Webmaster visited Shibata Castle and Japanese garden Shimizu-en in Shibata City last week.
Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 2:15) Niigata (express train 0:23) Shibata (walk 0:20) Shibata Castle @
Shibata Castle was the castle of feudal lord Mizoguchi in Edo Era. Free admission. It’s closed from December to march.
Omotemon Gate built in 1732 which is designated as Important Cultural Property
Kyu-ninomaru-sumiyagura Turret built in early 17th Century which is also designated as Important Cultural Property.
Rebuilt Sankai-yagura Turret. The lost former turret was the main turret of the castle.
Shimizu-en is a Japanese garden in one of the residences of the feudal lord Mizoguchi.
http://hoppou-bunka.com/shimizuen/index.html (Japanese)
Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 2:15) Niigata (express train 0:23) Shibata (walk 0:10) Shimizu-en @
The entrance of the garden. The entrance fee is ￥700 for adult. It’s closed in year-end holidays and on Wednesday in January and February.
An approach and Nakamon Gate
This is a stroll-type landscape garden. You can enjoy the garden along the paths.
Green carpets of moss are very beautiful.
We can also enter Shoin, the former residence building, and enjoy the view of the garden as same as the lords enjoyed.
Ashigaru-nagaya, the long house for lower-class samurai, stands next to the garden.
Suwa-jinja Shrine is also near. Its wooden structure is impressive.
End.