Shiroishi pairs a reconstructed feudal castle with something unrelated but popular nearby: Zao Fox Village, a hillside enclosure where several dozen foxes of different breeds roam loose and can be observed up close. Shiroishi Castle itself is a wooden reconstruction of the keep once held by the Katakura family, retainers of the Date clan, rebuilt using traditional carpentry rather than concrete. The combination works as a day trip because the castle is a short walk from the Shinkansen stop and the fox village is a short taxi ride further out.
| Distance | 50 km from Sendai |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 20 minutes by Shinkansen to Shiroishi-Zao; 20 min taxi to Fox Village |
| Getting there | Shinkansen Yamabiko from Sendai to Shiroishi-Zao (20 min, ¥1,760 / ~$11.60); taxi to Fox Village ¥2,000–¥2,500 (~$13–$16.50); Fox Village admission ¥1,000 adults (~$6.60) |
| Address | Shiroishi Castle: 1-16 Masugata, Shiroishi, Miyagi; Fox Village: 11-3 Akaishi, Shiroishi, Miyagi 989-0231 |
How to get there
- Shinkansen + taxi is fastest; rental car from Sendai is an alternative (50 min drive)
Location
Shiroishi Castle: 1-16 Masugata, Shiroishi, Miyagi; Fox Village: 11-3 Akaishi, Shiroishi, Miyagi 989-0231
38.0020, 140.6179 View on map
Highlights
- Shiroishi Castle keep - a wood-reconstructed tenshu you can climb inside, built without steel framing
- Castle town streets around Shiroishi - the old samurai-era street layout near the castle grounds
- Zao Fox Village - an open enclosure with free-roaming foxes of several breeds, including some rarer color varieties
- Fox feeding area - a designated spot within the village where visitors can hand-feed the foxes under staff supervision