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Sannoh Castle is located on a plateau with an elevation difference of about 90 meters. It is said to have served as the residence of the Nanbu clan of Sannoh from the late Muromachi period to the early Edo period. Even after the castle was relocated to Morioka during the Edo period, Sannoh Castle remained a strategic stronghold, which led to the appointment of a manager called "Jōdai" to oversee the castle in place of the lord.
During the Jōkyō era (1684–88), with the abolition of the Jōdai, Sannoh Castle became a historic site. However, due to the presence of the O-saki Bugyō (a type of magistrate), the castle was maintained throughout the Edo period. The remains of stone walls, earthen mounds, and moats that served as defensive structures have been preserved, allowing a glimpse into its former appearance.
Today, the castle ruins have been transformed into Jōyama Park, which features a variety of cherry blossoms in spring, making it a representative cherry blossom viewing spot in southern Aomori Prefecture. At the center of the park stands a building shaped like a turret called the "Sannoh Castle Historical Museum," which was built in Showa 42 (1967). The museum displays samurai-related armor, weapons, clothing, and ancient documents primarily related to the Nanbu clan. The castle seal featuring the Nanbu clan's family crest, "Kōtsuru-mon," is also a worthwhile souvenir to purchase.
