Nihonmatsu Castle

Nihonmatsu Castle 二本松城
Nihonmatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
Reconstructed Main Gate of Nihonmatsu Castle
Coordinates	37°35′59″N 140°25′41″E / 37.599642°N 140.427986°E / 37.599642; 140.427986
Type	hilltop-style Japanese castle
Site information
Owner	partially reconstructed 1982
Open to the public	yes
Site history
Built	1341, rebuilt 1643
In use	Edo period
Demolished	1872

Nihonmatsu Castle (二本松城, Nihonmatsu-jō^?) is a Japanese castle located in what is now the city of Nihonmatsu, northern Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Throughout most of the Edo period, Nihonmatsu Castle was home to the Niwa clan, daimyō of Nihonmatsu Domain. The castle was also known as "Kasumi-ga-jō" (霞ヶ城^?) or "Shirahata-jō" (白旗城^?). The castle is one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan, and in 2007 was designated a National Historic Site. The castle grounds are also a noted venue for viewing sakura in spring.

Nihonmatsu Castle is located on a spur of the Adatara mountains, approximately halfway between the cities of Fukushima and Kōriyama, along the Abukuma River. The main enclosure of the castle was originally located on top of the hill, with secondary enclosures around the base; however, following the destruction of the main enclosure during battles of the late Sengoku period, the castle was rebuilt at the base of the hill. Due to its position on the Oshu kaido highway connecting Edo with the northern portion of Japan, the castle had great strategic importance.