Castle Town in Japan’s Hyogo Pref. Keeps Same Street Layout for 400 Years Due to Water Delivery System
The castle town of Ako in Hyogo Prefecture is said to have kept essentially the same street layout for 400 years since the early Edo period (1603–1867).
Ako, a castle town in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, has maintained its original street layout for four centuries, according to Koji Araki, head of the cultural properties division at the city's Board of Education. This preservation is attributed to the town's water delivery system, which installed pipes beneath the streets, ensuring fresh water reached every household. The water system, in place since the early Edo period (1603-1867), was crucial due to the saltiness of well water in areas formerly submerged by the sea.
The Ako Castle, originally built by Asano Naganao, the first head of the Ako Asano clan, continues to exist largely intact due to the same water delivery system. Notably, the castle's Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru remained largely unchanged despite subsequent ownership by the Mori clan, who faced financial difficulties and thus avoided expanding or renovating the castle. This preservation can be attributed to the domain's lack of funds after the Asano clan's downfall.
Recent archaeological excavations have unveiled that Ako Castle's Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru are rare examples of largely preserved castle baileys. The Mori clan's financial constraints after the Asano clan's failure to produce sufficient kokudaka (rice yield) during famines and hardships ensured the original castle structure remained intact.
Beyond its historical significance, Ako is also recognized for its unique natural features. It lies within a caldera formed by a volcanic eruption 83 million years ago, as revealed by research conducted by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in 2016. The city's historical and natural attractions make it a worthwhile destination for visitors.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
