Kasugayama Castle
春日山城
| Founder | Uesugi clan |  |
| Year | 1573-1592 | |
| Type | Mountaintop | |
| Condition | Ruins | |
| Alternate Name | Hachigamine-jo | |
| Admin's Rating | ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | |
| Historical Site | National Historic Site | |
| Historical Value | Top 100 Castles | |
| Location | Joetsu, Niigata Pref. | |
| Map | Google Map | |
| Access | Kasugayama Sta. (Shin'etsu Line); 45 min walk | |
| Website | Joetsu City Sightseeing - Kasugayama Castle | |
| Visited | October 10, 2011 | |
| Notes | There aren't many structures or stone walls to impress you but the castle grounds are well kept and very vast. In addition to the main part of the castle ruins, there are two museums nearby, Rinsenji Temple, and the Eastern Fortress area. If you have the time, I highly recommend you begin your exploration of the castle from the Ote-do Road. It is a road the winds up the side of the mountain past several historical sites. It was the main road used to enter and exit the castle. Also be sure to visit the nearby Takada Castle for a most fulfilling day of castle exploring. | |
| History |
The Kasugayama Castle we see today was constructed by Nagao Tamekage and his son Uesugi Kenshin. There was an older castle on this site that dates to the 14th century, but little is known about it. Kenshin's successor, Kagekatsu became lord of the castle after Kenshin's death in 1578. 20 years later, Kagekatsu moved to Aizu and Hori Hideharu became lord of Kasugayama Castle. Hori built a new castle, called Fukushima Castle, on a more flatland location closer to the harbor and in 1607 Kasugayama Castle was abandoned.
Kasugayama Castle was one of the largest and strongest fortresses built in the Sengoku Period. The castle had no stone walls but there were many enclosures and dry moats built around the mountain. Kasugayama Castle was also protected by a network of forts and other castles in the area. Kasugayama Castle was never attacked so we'll never know how well it may have withstood an invasion. |
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2 Viewer Comments
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Kris
on
My Page
January 13, 2012 at 11:25 PM
I was impressed by this site – it was far larger than I expected and excellently and informatively sign-posted in Japanese and English. The explanations cater to every possible reason you could have for visiting Kasugayama; history fan, castle fan, TV drama fan, manga fan, general Uesugi fan or Uesugi detractor, or perhaps you are just looking for an informative hike. For that reason, even though there wasn't so much remaining structure-wise, the place really came alive. Summer was a good time to visit with the pine trees poking up out of the verdant greenery on the one hand and the blue skies and sweeping view down to the plains on the other - although rain in the morning had turned the gravel paths into mini rivers and waterfalls. I wouldn't recommend this site on a rainy day. The staff were friendly and helpful; one guide pointed out aoso, a kind of local hemp, still growing wild on the mountain. The fibers from this plant were used to make cloth much prized in Kyoto, the sale of which provided a large part of the Uesugi income. Also, I'm not sure if it was just for public holidays or a regular occurrence, but there were people dressed up in period costumes too. My boyfriend teased me for being so eager to see the castle by saying Kenshin wouldn't be waiting at the top; when we finally got up the stairs I just pointed out the ashigaru and men in eboshi and smiled.
-
Kris
on
My Page
January 13, 2012 at 11:25 PM
I was impressed by this site – it was far larger than I expected and excellently and informatively sign-posted in Japanese and English. The explanations cater to every possible reason you could have for visiting Kasugayama; history fan, castle fan, TV drama fan, manga fan, general Uesugi fan or Uesugi detractor, or perhaps you are just looking for an informative hike. For that reason, even though there wasn't so much remaining structure-wise, the place really came alive. Summer was a good time to visit with the pine trees poking up out of the verdant greenery on the one hand and the blue skies and sweeping view down to the plains on the other - although rain in the morning had turned the gravel paths into mini rivers and waterfalls. I wouldn't recommend this site on a rainy day. The staff were friendly and helpful; one guide pointed out aoso, a kind of local hemp, still growing wild on the mountain. The fibers from this plant were used to make cloth much prized in Kyoto, the sale of which provided a large part of the Uesugi income. Also, I'm not sure if it was just for public holidays or a regular occurrence, but there were people dressed up in period costumes too. My boyfriend teased me for being so eager to see the castle by saying Kenshin wouldn't be waiting at the top; when we finally got up the stairs I just pointed out the ashigaru and men in eboshi and smiled.
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Joetsu, Niigata Pref.
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