Its roots can be traced to when Moriyasu Tozawa was given the area in 1590, though it may have been constructed prior to this.
Due to a Shogunal decree that each domain was to retain only one castle, it was demolished in 1620.
The Kakunodate palace flourished as a Samurai town in the early 17th century and is often referred to as "Little Kyoto".
Although the castle no longer survived, its legacy can be seen in the well-preserved samurai houses, many of which are centuries old.
[1] To the north of Kakunodate's samurai district the former castle site is located on the hill.