Ako Castle Ruins

Ako Castle is inseparable from one of Japan's most beloved samurai legends: the tale of the 47 Ronin, whose lord was once stationed here. Built in the 1640s, the fortress was designed using both Japanese and Western military principles, and its stone walls and moat remain remarkably intact even though the keep was never completed. The surrounding park erupts with cherry blossoms in spring, and the adjacent Oishi Shrine honors the loyal retainers at the heart of the story. In mid-December, the Ako Gishi-sai festival reenacts the ronin's famous vendetta march with full period costumes.