Japanese word

城下

Pronunciation

Romajijōka

Meaning

  • nouncastle town

Example

昔の城下は多くの人でにぎわいました。mukashi no jō ka wa ō ku no hito de ni gi wa i ma shi ta

The old castle town was crowded with many people.

Illustration for 城下 (castle town)

More examples

この城下には、今も昔ながらの通りが残っています。ko no jō ka ni wa ima mo mukashi na ga ra no tō ri ga noko tte i ma su

There are still traditional streets in this castle town.

Core concept

Refers to a town established near a castle, often as a center for people and services connected with it.

Common phrases

  • 城下に住むjō ka ni su mu

    live in the castle town

  • 城下の町並みjō ka no machi na mi

    streetscape of the castle town

Definition in Japanese

城を中心に形成された町。shiro o chū shin ni kei sei sa re ta machi

Word origin

城下 (jōka, "castle town") is formed from 城 (jō, "castle") and 下 (ka, "below"), reflecting a town situated under or around a castle.

Usage tips

  • Many Japanese castle towns retain traces of their original layout, so the term can describe both a place and its historical character.

Other meanings

  • area around a castlenoun

Word lists with this word