Here you’ll find a summary of useful information when visiting Niigata’s wonderful Shinbata Castle, including attractions, nearby sightseeing spots, access, hotels, and tours.
What kind of castle is Shinbonda Castle? What can I see inside? Are there places to go sightseeing around it? We will answer these questions for you in this article.
Information on Shibata Castle
Let’s start with some basic information about the Shinbaita Castle.
Shimbata Castle is located in Shimbata City, Niigata, Japan. It is located in a grain-growing area about 30 km northeast of Niigata Station.
Address of the Shibata Castle
6 Otemachi, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture
Access to the Shibata Castle
By train
Approximately 25 minutes on foot from JR Shibata Station
By car
Approx. 10 min. by car from Seirou Shimbaeda I.C.
About New-Shibata Castle
Here is a simple explanation of the highlights and history of Shibata Castle.
Who was the lord of Shibata Castle?
The lord of the castle was Mizoguchi Hidekatsu. Born in Aichi Prefecture, he entered Niibata from Ishikawa Prefecture in 1598 after being given 60,000 koku by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
During the Battle of Sekigahara, he served on the Tokugawa side as an outlying feudal lord.
Outline of Shibata Castle
The castle was built in 1598 by the feudal lord Mizoguchi Hidekatsu.
The castle was completed 56 years later, in 1654, during the reign of Nobunao III.
However, a major fire destroyed most of the castle in 1666.
In 1679, the third-floor turret, which served as the castle’s keep, was completed, but many of the buildings were later destroyed and most of the moat was reclaimed due to the Meiji government’s decree to abolish the castle.
At that time, there were 11 turrets and 5 main gates, but only 4 turrets (2 of which were reconstructed) and the front gate remain today.
The original buildings of those days that can be seen today are the front gate and the Ninomaru turrets, which have a history of about 300 years.
They are the only valuable structures remaining in Niigata and are now designated as National Important Cultural Properties.
Sights of Shibata Castle
Attraction #1: The three-story turret
The photo above is of the castle taken from the Joshi Park side.
This is the main keep of the castle. In those days, the name “castle tower” was reserved for the shogunate and was called “turret” instead of “keep.
The current turret is a new tower rebuilt in 2004.
The distinctive feature of the tower is that there are three killer whale sharks on the roof. Usually, there are two.
Currently, the above turret is the site of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force station, and travelers are not allowed to enter.
The castle tower cannot be seen from the grounds of Shinbada Castle, so visitors are advised to go around to the Joshi Park side of the castle to take pictures.
Attraction #2: Fine stone walls
The stone walls of Shinbada Castle are 350 meters long, and are said to be one of the best in the country in terms of masonry construction techniques.
The stones used are hard coarse-grained basalt produced in the city, and there are more than 11,000 pieces of it.
Ducks are floating peacefully in the moat.
Attraction No. 3: Let’s go inside the turrets!
You can enter the three turrets of Shinbada Castle for free.
You need to take off your shoes at all three turrets. The floors are cold, so it is better to wear thick socks in winter.
Let’s start with the old building.
Omote-mon Gate
Omote-mon Gate is the middle of the three buildings in Shinbada Castle and is approximately 300 years old. It is reached by climbing a few large stone steps. Take off your shoes and enter. Inside, there are exhibits on the history of Shinbata Castle and other materials. It was dimly lit inside, and it was difficult to read the words on the exhibits. Ohoho.
Old Ninomaru turret
The old Ninomaru turret is located in the back left corner of the castle grounds.
It is also about 300 years old. 2 stories high, and the stairs inside are steep, so please be careful.
The first floor is a garandow, and on the second floor there are several exhibits related to castle events. The view of the moat from the window is nice.
Tatsumi Tower
Tatsumiyaguya is the building located at the far right as you enter the grounds of Shinbashi Castle. This is a brand new building, reconstructed.
Climbing the stairs of the Tatsumi Yaguya, you can see the Self Defense Force station. This is a unique view of Shinbada Castle that cannot be seen anywhere else.
The building is brightly lit. Please note that the stairs to the second floor are steep.
How long should I spend at the Shibata Castle?
If you are a fast walker, you can see everything in 30 minutes.
If you walk slowly, 40 minutes should be enough time to see the moat and the three buildings.
Are there stores nearby?
There is a small teahouse outside the front gate across the street. It sells books about Shinbada Castle, local souvenirs, and refreshments. Coffee, amazake (sweet sake), and rice cakes were sold. Cash only is accepted.
Tourist attractions near the Shinbada Castle
There are several tourist attractions in the vicinity of the Shibata Castle within walking distance.
Shirakabe Barracks Publicity and Information Center
Shirakabe Barracks is a museum of the Self-Defense Forces, located right next to the Shinbada Castle’s Shinbada Joshi Park. Admission is free, and you can see exhibits related to the Self-Defense Forces.
Click here for the website of Shirakabe Barracks
Fukiya Kohji Memorial Museum
This is a museum with exhibits by Kohji Fukiya, an illustrator whom you may have seen at least once somewhere.
It is a small museum with two floors and a full range of exhibits.
It is about a 5-minute walk from Shinbada Castle, so please visit us.
Click here for the Kohji Fukiya Memorial Museum website
Shimizu-en
This is a beautiful daimyo garden built in the Edo period (1603-1867), with a pond and garden circulation system. There is also a history museum attached to the garden, with exhibits on the Ako Ronin.
Click here for the Shimizuen homepage
Hotels and tours in Shimbada Castle
Hotels near Shibata Castle
Shinobata New Hotel Plaza
Conveniently located in front of Shibata Station.
Shimbata New Hotel Plaza
1-9-29 Suwa-machi, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture [Map].
Rakuten Travel
Jalan
Rurubu
Yahoo! Travel
Hotel Marui
A reasonably priced hotel located about a 5-minute walk from Shinbonda Station.
Hotel Marui
2-1-9 Suwa-machi, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture [Map]
Rakuten Travel
Jalan
Yahoo! Travel
If you are driving, Tsukioka Onsen (hot spring) is also recommended, which is only 20 minutes away from Shinobata Castle.
Tsukioka Onsen Hotel Seifuen
Tsukioka Onsen Hotel Seifuen
278-2 Tsukioka, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture [Map].
Rakuten Travel
Jalan
Rurubu
Yahoo! Travel
Tour of Shinbonda Castle
One-day bus tours with tour guide and bus tour guide, etc.
For those who want to enjoy themselves on their own, we recommend the Dynamic Rail Pack by View, which offers a high discount rate for the Shinkansen bullet train.
JR East Dynamic Rail Pack
In Closing
The above is an introduction to basic information about Shimbata Castle, its attractions, hotels, and other useful information.
You can walk from Shimbata Station to Shimbata Castle, so it is exciting and fun to explore an unfamiliar town.
There are liquor stores and local shrines along the way. And Shimizuen is a great garden, so be sure to stop by!
Parking at the Shinobata Castle
There are two free parking lots in the immediate vicinity of the castle.
They are Ainess Shibata (100 cars) and Joshi Park (7 cars).
Which is more convenient to park?
The distance to the castle is a little closer at Ainess Shinshinden, but there is no big difference since it takes about 5 minutes from Joshi Park if you walk quickly.
We recommend parking at Joshi Park. The reasons are as follows.
You will pass in front of the castle’s main keep (called a turret), so you can take pictures.
It is pleasant to walk along the moat.
There are restrooms in the parking lot.
For the above reasons, it is recommended to park in the parking lot of Joshi Park.
However, even if the parking lot is full, you can park at Ainess Shinbeta unless there is a big event. It is also about a 5-minute walk from Ainess Shinshoda to the spot where you can take pictures of the castle tower.
To sum it up, you can park anywhere.