Yokote Park was once the site of Yokote Castle. Built by the Tonomura clan, a branch of the Satake family, Yokote Castle was also known as Aosakura Castle, Nira Castle, Ryugasaki Castle, and Shoko Castle. Yokote Castle, which had its roots in a medieval mountain castle, became a subsidiary castle when Satake Yoshinobu, the first lord of the Akita domain, was transferred there in 1602. However, under the "One Castle per Province Edict" issued in 1611, Yokote Castle was abandoned without being destroyed. Today, Yokote Park is a lush green park designed by Nagaoka Ampin, a famous landscape gardener from the Meiji era. It is also sometimes called "Oshiroyama" because the main castle of Yokote Castle was located there. In addition, in 1965, a simulated castle tower was built on the site of the Ninomaru based on Okazaki Castle, which is said to be the first simulated castle tower in the Tohoku region. Although there are no remains of the old Yokote Castle in Yokote Castle Ruins Park, you can still feel the atmosphere of the mountain castle ruins, making it a popular spot for nature walks, picnics, and other outdoor activities.
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