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Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park

栃木県

3.6

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

One of the seven famous castles in the Kanto region is located in a park beloved by citizens.

Utsunomiya Castle, which was once one of the seven famous castles in the Kanto region, now only has the main citadel earthworks remaining due to the impact of war. However, its dignity is still alive and well. Part of it has been turned into a park, and it is a peaceful spot loved by many citizens.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic HistoryNature

Highlights

Point 1

Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom at Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park!

Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park is bustling with tourists in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. In particular, the cherry blossom trees in the park are illuminated fantastically, allowing visitors to enjoy night-time cherry blossoms. It's also a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, with many people bringing their own lunch boxes and picnic blankets to enjoy a picnic. The park also has playground equipment and a large open space, making it a great place for families to visit. If you visit Utsunomiya in the spring, be sure to fully enjoy the cherry blossoms at Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park!

Point 2

The Castle Ruins where the Utsunomiya Clan Ruled as Lords!

Utsunomiya Castle was a castle where the Utsunomiya clan ruled as lords from the Kamakura period to the Warring States period. Later, in the mid-Edo period, it was destroyed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and became a ruined castle. Today, remains such as stone walls and earthen embankments can be seen on the site. In the park, there is a reconstructed Fujimi tower that reproduces the former castle ruins, as well as Seimeidai tower and a guidance facility that conveys the history of Utsunomiya Castle. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom and many people visit for flower viewing. You can enjoy history and nature while walking along the park's walking path!

Point 3

Enjoy Beautiful Night Views with Illumination!

At Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park, you can enjoy beautiful night views. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the park is illuminated until 9pm, creating a fantastic atmosphere with illuminated towers and footlights, making it a great spot for a date. In spring, there are cherry trees illuminated in the park, creating a beautiful and fantastic scenery with cherry blossom petals floating in the air at night. The park is relatively quiet at night, making it a popular romantic date spot!

Point 4

Festivals and Events at Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park!

Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park holds the "Utsunomiya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival" every spring and the "Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Festival" in late October. The Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Festival is a festival featuring various events that introduce the history and culture of Utsunomiya City, with the main event being a "historical procession" based on historical facts. At the Utsunomiya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival, visitors can enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms in the park. Many people come to the festivals, and there is a lively atmosphere with food stalls and exhibitions. It's a recommended event in Utsunomiya City that makes you feel the arrival of spring!

Point 5

Enjoy Utunomiya Gyoza Alongside Your Sightseeing!

After strolling through Utunomiya Castle Park, it's recommended to try the famous local gyoza. Utunomiya gyoza has a chewy skin and is filled with plenty of ingredients such as cabbage, leek, and garlic. There are many gyoza shops around Utunomiya Station, but the most popular ones are "Minmin," "Koran," and "Shoushi." Why not enjoy Utunomiya's famous gyoza alongside a visit to Utunomiya Castle Park?

Sightseeing

A Park with the Remains of Utsunomiya Castle, Flourishing in the Edo Period!

Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park is a park in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, that has become a place of relaxation for its citizens. It is located where Utsunomiya Castle, which flourished during the Edo period, once stood, and today, the park still has stone monuments, earthen embankments, and dry moats that indicate the remains of the castle. The park has a wide open space where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons, such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, as well as a pond, making it perfect for cherry blossom viewing and strolling. In addition, there is a guidance facility in the park that tells the history of Utsunomiya Castle, allowing visitors to learn about its history. Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park is loved by locals and visited by many tourists. There are many tourist spots around the park, such as Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine, Tochigi Prefectural Museum, and Shoun-ji Temple, making it worth a visit!

Basic Information

	Address	1-3520 Honmaru-cho, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 320-0817, Japan
	Business Hours	9:00～19:00
	Web Site	http://www.city.utsunomiya.tochigi.jp/citypromotion/kanko/meisho/jyiousi/index.html

Average Review

3.6

4 Reviews

10月中旬連休最後の月曜日の10時半ごろに伺いました。こちらの口コミで無料駐車場を知り、ラスト1台で停めることが出来ました（公園の南側です）。資料館も含めてすべて無料で、ゆっくり拝見しました。とても感じの良い公園で、正直お城としては…とは思いますが、観光客が訪れる価値はまずまずあると思います。その日はボランティアガイドの方もおられて、10分程の歴史の動画と共に面白いお話もいくつかきけて良かったです。ありがとうございました。

関東七名城の一つで平安時代以降、この地域で有力な宇都宮市の居城。二荒山神社の南に築城したことから珍しく北側に大手門のあるお城。現在の富士見櫓などは全て再建されたもの。石垣ではなく土塁なのが中世から続くお城の特徴。資料館のようなところでは宇都宮城の歴史を説明してもらえます。ものしり館で御城印がもらえます。お座敷遊びでよくある投扇体験もしていました。

関東七名城の一つ城の形状　輪郭式梯郭式複合式平城天守閣　清明台（本丸部の１番高い場所にある２重２階の櫓）別名　亀ヶ岡城・歴史平安時代に藤原秀郷、藤原宗円（そうえん）が築城し、以降鎌倉時代〜安土桃山時代にわたる５３０年間藤原氏系の宇都宮氏が支配します。天正１８年（１５９０年）豊臣秀吉公による小田原征伐後に宇都宮仕置が敢行され、奥州の大名や、宇都宮氏が秀吉公に拝謁し宇都宮氏は所領を安堵され、居城も一旦は多気山城から宇都宮城に戻され、さらに秀吉公より羽柴姓を名乗る与えられるほど関係性は深かったが、慶長２年（１５９７年）突如として改易され、替わりに翌慶長３年（１５９８年）に蒲生氏郷が１８万石で入り城下町を整備します。慶長６年（１６０１年）関ヶ原の戦いの功により奥平家昌が１０万石で入る。家昌が死去すると嫡男忠昌が跡を継ぐも、僅か７歳という幼少だったため下総国（現在の埼玉県の一部、千葉県の一部）古河藩へ移封し、替わりに徳川家康公の懐刀といわれた本多正純が１５．５万石で入封します。城と城下町を整備して城を拡張し、日光街道と奥州街道を整備し、城内の寺社群を街の街道沿いに再配置して城下の守りを堅固にしました。また本丸には御成御殿を整備し、徳川家の日光参拝の時の宿泊施設を建設しました。宇都宮は城下町、門前町、宿場町とそれぞれが独立した機能をもつ都市として整備されます。宇都宮城は幕府の意向に従い天守閣の築城を行なわず、替わりに２重２階の清明台の櫓を天守閣の代用として機能させました。元和８年（１６２２年）、宇都宮城内で釣天井事件が起きてしまう。本多家が日光参拝に来た徳川家の将軍を暗殺を企てる事件ですが、実際には正純が他の徳川家重臣達の大変な嫉妬を買い、また権力闘争にも敗れてしまい改易の処分が下ります。その後は再び奥平氏→奥平系松平氏→阿部氏→戸田氏→深溝系松平氏→再び戸田氏が入り明治維新になります。最後の藩主戸田氏の石高は７万石で、明治に入ると戊辰戦争が勃発し、藩内の７割の家屋が焼失します。そして一時、宇都宮城は旧幕府軍に取られる。これに新政府軍の薩摩藩、長州藩、鳥取、大垣藩の連合軍により宇都宮城は奪還されます。藩主戸田忠友が宇都宮に帰還後に、会津戦争の拠点となり、後に内閣総理大臣になる板垣退助と共に白河・会津若松へ転戦します。下総野鎮撫府が置かれ、駐屯地と真岡県が置かれます。明治２３年（１８９０年）に駐屯地は下総国佐倉へ移され、宇都宮は再び平穏を取り戻します。城趾一帯は民間へ払い下げられ御本丸公園として、市民の憩いの場所となる。（※宇都宮城本丸跡にて、江戸時代の宇都宮藩の歴史について掘り下げましょう。）・宇都宮と言えば？まずは餃子の街として有名で、いつも静岡県浜松市と争っていますよね。市内には、駅から二荒山神社、栃木県庁に向かい４２店舗の餃子専門または中華料理屋があります。宇都宮市全域となると７５軒の餃子を出す飲食店がある。２つ目はジャズの街栃木県庁や二荒山神社付近に１１店舗もジャズを聞ける、演奏する場所がある。３つ目はビジネスホテルがやたらと多いなんと宇都宮市内には４０のビジネス系ホテルが点在しています。４つ目はカクテルを出すバーも２８店舗あります。なかなか面白い街ですね。アクセスＪＲ東北・北海道新幹線、秋田新幹線、山形新幹線、東海道本線・上野東京ライン、湘南新宿ライン、東北本線、日光線、宇都宮駅から徒歩１５分〜２０分東武宇都宮線、東武宇都宮駅から徒歩５分です。駐車場あり。

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