Nihonmatsu Castle is located on a spur of the Adatara mountains, approximately halfway between the cities of Fukushima and Kōriyama, along the Abukuma River.

In 1341, Hatakeyama Takakuni, who was appointed Ōshū tandai by Ashikaga shogunate, established a fortified residence at this location, and changed his name to "Nihonmatsu".

Masamune’s forces counterattacked, and in the ensuring battle both Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu and Date Terumune were killed.

The castle was then rebuilt by Data Masamune as a key fortification of his border against the Ashina clan, and assigned his general Katakura Kagetsuna as castellan.

The territory was then assigned to Kato Yoshiakira, one of the heroes of the Battle of Shizugatake and builder of Matsuyama Castle in Iyo Province.

The Niwa abandoned the old fortifications at the top of the hill, and completely rebuilt the castle at its base, from which they ruled until the Meiji restoration.

The site, called Kasumigajō Park (霞ヶ城公園, Kasumigajō-kōen) became famous for its sakura blossoms in spring, and a festival featuring dolls made from chrysanthemum flowers in autumn.