Ōshū Kaidō
The Ōshū Kaidō highway connecting Edo with northern Japan passes through this location, which is in narrow valley beside the river in front of the castle, and thus this location was of critical strategic importance. The main enclosure of the castle was originally located on top of the hill, with secondary enclosures around the base; however, following the destruction of the main enclosure during battles of the late Sengoku period, the castle was rebuilt at the base of the hill.