Until 2006, it was an independent castle town located in Date District, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

In 1598, the entire Fukushima Basin (Shintatsu Plain) became the territory of Uesugi Kagekatsu and Suda Nagayoshi became the lord of Yanagawa Castle.

[1] By 1960, the town of Yanagawa had merged with the villages of Awano, Sekimoto, Shirane, Ooeda, Isazawa, Tomino, and Yamafunyuu.

Mochimune's son, the 12th lord, Date Shigemune was influenced by Higashiyama Culture and built the inner garden, including Shinji Pond, which is still visible at the site today.

[1] Held in August, hundreds of people dress in yukata and parade down the main street, performing the local bon odori dance.