Akō Castle

Akō Castle stands in Akō city, Hyōgo Prefecture, and was built in 1661 during the Edo period as a seat of the Asano clan. It is best known as the residence of lord Asano Naganori, whose forced ritual suicide in 1701 set in motion the vendetta of the 47 Rōnin — one of the most celebrated episodes in Japanese history, later immortalized in the Chūshingura epic. The wooden structures no longer survive, but the stone ramparts and moat remain intact, set within a quiet park landscape. Admission is free, and the castle grounds draw visitors in spring for cherry blossom viewing. Those drawn by the Rōnin story will find the surrounding town of Akō rich in related historical sites.