Komoro Castle

Welcome to Komoro, a city in Nagano Prefecture that serves as a profound window into Japan's feudal past. As you stand here, you are stepping into a castle town where samurai once held sway, navigating a landscape defined by both…

We stand now before the Otimon Gate, an architectural masterpiece that serves as the symbolic entrance to the rich heritage of Komoro. Built in 1612, this gate has survived the ebbs and flows of history for over four centuries. …

Just outside the main castle gates lies the Teishaba Garden, a beautifully curated space that bridges the gap between the Komoro Station and the historical ruins. This garden is a masterclass in modern Japanese landscape design,…

Approaching the inner ruins, we encounter the Sannomon Gate, the third gate and the primary entrance to what is now Kaikoen Park. This gate is perhaps the most iconic image of Komoro, often featured in historical records and…

As we move deeper into the ruins, we reach the elevated foundations where the main keep of Komoro Castle once stood. While the wooden structures are long gone, the stone foundations remain, offering a blueprint of the castle's…

To conclude our physical exploration of the castle town, we visit the Kameya Cafe, a site that embodies the living history of Komoro. This is not merely a place to enjoy a refreshment; it is a historical landmark in its own…

Our journey through Komoro Castle and its surrounding town draws to a close, but the impressions of this unique 'ana-jiro' will surely linger. We have walked through gates that have stood for four centuries, explored gardens that…