1.
castle town
A town that developed around a feudal lord's castle during Japan's medieval and early modern periods. Many of Japan's modern cities, such as Kanazawa, Himeji, and Matsumoto, originated as castle towns and retain their historical street layouts.
金沢は有名な城下町だ。
Kanazawa is a famous castle town.
城下町の古い町並みが残っている。
The old townscape of the castle town remains preserved.
この地域はかつて城下町として栄え、武家屋敷や商人の家が今も点在している。
This area once flourished as a castle town, and samurai residences and merchant houses still dot the landscape.
USAGE:
Castle towns were the political, economic, and cultural centers of feudal domains during the Edo period. They were deliberately planned, with samurai districts (武家屋敷), merchant quarters, and temple areas arranged around the castle. Today, many 城下町 are popular tourist destinations known for their historical atmosphere.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 城下町の町並み: castle town streetscape
- 城下町として栄える: flourish as a castle town
- 城下町を散策する: stroll through a castle town
- 旧城下町: former castle town