Kajo Park

Kajo Park is a vast urban park covering about 35.9 hectares in the center of Yamagata City, developed from the ruins of Yamagata Castle. The origins of Yamagata Castle are said to date back to 1356, when Shiba Kaneyori, who entered Yamagata as the Ushu Tandai and became the first lord of the Mogami clan, is believed to have built the castle. Later, the 11th lord, Mogami Yoshimitsu (1546–1614), expanded and improved it into a large flatland castle surrounded by the Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru, each enclosed by triple moats and earthen ramparts, laying the foundation of its present form. Yamagata Castle was one of the largest of its kind in Japan, known as a “rinku-shiki hirajiro” (a concentric-style flatland castle), and it flourished as a political, economic, and cultural center of the Tohoku region at the time.

During the Keicho Dewa War of 1600, also known as the Hasedo Battle, it served as the base of Lord Mogami Yoshimitsu in preparation for the Uesugi forces led by Naoe Kanetsugu. It is also said that because the castle was obscured by mist and could not be seen clearly during the battle, it came to be called “Kasumigajo” (“Mist Castle”). Lord Yoshimitsu overcame the turmoil of the Sengoku period and developed Yamagata into a domain worth 620,000 koku, and to honor his achievements, a majestic equestrian statue has been erected in the park. The statue depicts Lord Yoshimitsu leading the charge and galloping boldly toward the battlefield during the Hasedo Battle.

In the early Edo period, after the Mogami clan was dispossessed, Torii Tadamasa was assigned to the domain and improved the moats, earthen walls, and stone ramparts. The castle continued to function as the center of domain administration, but after the Meiji Restoration it was abandoned and many of its buildings were lost. After World War II, the castle site was opened to the public as a place of relaxation for citizens and became Kajo Park, which has remained beloved by local residents and visitors to this day.

In 1986, it was designated a National Historic Site, and in 2006 it was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Castles. In recent years, excavation research and restoration work have progressed, with the Ninomaru East Otemon Gate reconstructed in 1991 and the Honmaru Ichimonji Gate Otebashi Bridge restored in 2005. As a result, the castle’s magnificence has gradually been revived, and the landscape has been taking shape in a way that evokes its former appearance.

Cultural facilities are also clustered inside and around the park, including the Yamagata City Local Museum (former Saiseikan Main Building), a pseudo-Western-style hospital building constructed in 1878 and relocated and restored in 1969; the Yamagata Prefectural Museum, which introduces Yamagata’s nature and history; the Yamagata Museum of Art, where visitors can enjoy works of art; and the Mogami Yoshimitsu Historical Museum, which exhibits materials on the life of Lord Mogami Yoshimitsu and the Sengoku period. These sites serve as key destinations for learning about history and culture in depth.

Kajo Park is also known as Yamagata City’s premier cherry blossom viewing spot. About 1,500 cherry trees are planted in the park, and the Kajo Cherry Blossom Festival is held in spring. The cherry blossoms blooming along the moats are illuminated at night, allowing visitors to enjoy their dreamlike reflections on the water. The blossoms against the backdrop of the moats and earthen ramparts create a graceful atmosphere that captivates all who visit. During cherry blossom season, trains even slow down so passengers can enjoy the flowers from the window.

The charm of Kajo Park changes with the seasons. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter, all set against the scenery of the castle ruins and nature. The park is maintained as a walking path and is also used for birdwatching and as a relaxing place for local residents.

Kajo Park is a precious historic site that conveys the history of Yamagata Castle, the famous fortress expanded and developed by the Sengoku warlord Mogami Yoshimitsu, and it is also a renowned sightseeing and learning destination where cultural facilities and nature blend together. When visiting Yamagata, we recommend taking a leisurely stroll through this park, where you can experience both the weight of history and the beauty of the four seasons at once.