Guide
Hisamatsu Park is a historic urban park located in Higashimachi, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, developed around the site of the former Tottori Castle. This site was once the stage for a famous siege by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period. While much of the original castle structures were dismantled over time, the robust stone walls and castle tower foundations remain as powerful historical vestiges. A project to restore the castle to its Edo-period appearance is currently underway. The park features expansive lawns and offers stunning views of Yoshino cherry blossoms in the spring and vibrant autumn colors in the fall.
The history of this site dates back to the Sengoku period. Tottori Castle played a crucial role as a strategic fortification and was the setting for a significant siege by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Following the Edo period, the site was preserved and developed as a space to maintain its historical legacy. The area also holds significance in modern history, having been a site for the post-war visit of Emperor Showa. Recent restoration efforts have successfully brought back elements of the past, such as the main entrance bridge and the Otemon Gate, helping visitors visualize the original castle's grandeur.
The park offers a unique blend of historical ruins and modern architecture. A standout feature is "Ninpukaku," a beautiful white-walled Western-style building that served as the villa for Marquis Ikeda Nakaaki of the Tottori Clan and was later used as a residence for the Crown Prince during the Taisho era. Other essential sights include the Tottori Castle stone walls, the castle tower foundations, and the reconstructed Otemon Gate and bridge. For those looking for a view, it is approximately a 10-minute walk to the Ninomaru area and a 40-minute walk to the Yamano-maru area, both of which offer elevated perspectives of Tottori City. The surrounding area is also home to the Tottori Prefectural Museum and various other modern heritage sites.
The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons. In spring (March to April), the park becomes a major attraction as a