[Ruins of Tate Castle in Assabu] Last Japanese Style Castle in Japan

Tate Castle

Tate Castle (舘城) is castle ruins on a small hill in Assabu town located in the northwestern part of Hakodate city, and is surrounded by fields. The castle is the last castle of Matsumae clan (松前氏), a daimyo of Matsumae Domain (松前藩), in the Edo period, and it is said that the castle is the last Japanese style castle in Japan. In the Meiji Restoration (明治維新), it was attacked by the old Shogunate forces, and the castle was fallen for 75 days after construction. Now the castle is not built. A parking space is along a road, and cherry trees are planted at the site, and there is no sightseeing facility in particular except a very small museum. Tatejo-ato Festival (館城跡まつり) is held on the second Sunday in June, and visitors can enjoy the stage of Hakodate war. Admission free. The parking space is free of charge.

The Assabu is well-known for May Queen, and it is the first land that the May Queen born in England was cultivated in Hokkaido. Speaking of tasty restaurant in the Assabu, Takinoan (滝野庵) is popular in particular. Hot springs gush out in the Assabu, and Gamushi Onsen (俄虫温泉), Kamisato Onsen (上里温泉), Uzura Onsen (鶉温泉) and Tateshiro Onsen (館城温泉) are famous. I took a bath at the Gamushi Onsen and the Uzura Onsen.

Gamushi Onsen

Gamushi Onsen (俄虫温泉) is a hot spring place in Assabu town located in the northwest part of Hakodate city. Gamushi Onsen Ryokan (俄虫温泉旅館) is surrounded by fields. It takes about 10 minutes from the center of the Assabu by car. Visitors turn along Hokkaido Road 67 (北海道道道67号), and go straight a little, and around the end of the road is the Gamushi Onsen. Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built around there. Gamushi (ガムシ) is a place name, and means "Place that a lot of bears live" in Ainu language. In that kind of meaning, this place was indeed terrible. By the way, Kamisato Onsen (上里温泉) renewed in 2017 is next to the Gamushi Onsen Ryokan. Read More

Uzura Onsen

Uzura Onsen (鶉温泉) is a hot spring place in Assabu town located in the northwestern part of Hakodate city. Only Assabu Agriculture Activation Center Accommodation Facilities Uzura Onsen (厚沢部町農業活性化センター宿泊研修施設 うずら温泉) surrounded by fields is built. A convenience store is a little away from here. Tourist attractions relatively near here are Taikoyama Park (太鼓山公園), Ruins of Tate Castle (館城跡), Kamome Island (鴎島) and Kaiyomaru Battleship (開陽丸), Uzura Dam (鶉ダム). The Assabu is well-known for May Queen, and it is the first land that the May Queen born in England was cultivated in Hokkaido, so there is a hands-on agricultural farm for digging potatoes. By the way, Uzura Onsen and Inakuraishi Festival (うずら温泉＆稲倉石まつり) is held in late June. Read More

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Ruins of Tate Castle

Ruins of clay walls and ruins of main enclosur are at the both sides of the road. A gazebo and a very small castle are built at the site, but walks are not built. Few visitors come, so here is a peaceful tourist attraction. It takes about 30 minutes to look around on foot.

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations in the Assabu. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Uzura Onsen

Uzura Onsen(うずら温泉)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Gamushi Onsen

Gamushi Onsen Ryokan(俄虫温泉旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten