Shibata Castle Ruin & Japanese Garden
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Port
Niigata, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$139
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
A panoramic drive from the pier brings you to the ruins of Shibata Castle -- classified as a flatland castle. The main building, located in Echigo Prefecture during the pre-modern age, now finds itself in Niigata Prefecture. The castle didn't move; rather, the prefecture boundary lines have snaked back and forth throughout history. Associated with the Mizoguchi clan, this castle also retains two Edo-period buildings -- the Omote Gate and a corner turret from the secondary enclosure. A restoration effort has included rebuilding the three-story turret and the Tatsumi Turret, which you can view from across the moat.
Shimizu Garden is an elegant 17th-century Kyoto-style garden. Its pond, trees and plants are beautiful year-round, and an outdoor tea ceremony is performed here in spring and autumn. Nearby, Ashigaru Nagaya -- a longhouse built as lodgings for the lower ranks of feudal-era samurai -- is a designated Important Cultural Property.
Your last stop is at the Gokaibishi sake brewery resort -- completely renovated and reborn as a new type of sake experience. Japan's famous rice wine is paired with all the charms of the food and culture of Shinbada castle town.
Return to the ship afterward.
Notes:
Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Terrain includes gravel paths, uneven surfaces, and steps. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Unfamiliar accents can be challenging; feel free to ask your guide to repeat or elaborate on information, and to speak more slowly so you can fully comprehend and converse.