Nagahama Castle
長浜城
| Founder | Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi |  |
| Year | 1575 | |
| Type | Flatland | |
| Condition | Reconstructed | |
| Reconstructed | 1983 (concrete) | |
| Structure | 3 levels, 5 floors | |
| Admin's Rating | ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | |
| Location | Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture | |
| Map | Google Map | |
| Access | Nagahama Station (Hokuriku Honsen) | |
| Website | Nagahama Castle Historical Museum | |
| Visited | April 1996; March 20, 2012 | |
| Visitor Info. | 400 yen; open 9am-5pm; closed 12/27-1/2 and a few irregular days each year for maintenance and display changes | Time Required: 45 mins | |
| Notes | There really isn't much here to see. The museum is mediocre and there is little structure left to the castle. No significant stones walls, moats, or buildings besides the reconstructed main keep. The cherry blossoms are really great though, so if you want to visit cherry blossom season is best. The top of the keep also offers some nice views of the lake and surrounding area. It's close to the station so you can easily make a quick stop on the way to other destinations. | |
| History | As an ally of Oda Nobunaga, Hashiba Hideyoshi received Odani Castle, but the mountaintop castle was difficult for him to govern his lands. He built a new castle in the village of Imahama and renamed it Nagahama, borrowing the "naga" character from Nobunaga's name. After the battle of Shigatake in 1583 the castle was taken over by Yamanouchi Kazutoyo and after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 it was ruled by Naito Nobunari. Nagahama Castle was demolished in 1615 because of Tokugawa's "one castle per province" policy. Some of the castle structures and moat walls were moved to Hikone Castle. | |
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8 Viewer Comments
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zoomingjapan
May 31, 2012 at 12:12 PM
I went there a few years ago as a day trip from Nara. I also visited Hikone Castle on the same day. I barely remember anything about Nagahama Castle. A snowstorm came up when I arrived at the station and so I had to rush inside the castle.
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RaymondW
December 29, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Went to this castle again yesterday, hoping to get some snowy shots of the castle. The bad news is that this castle is closed from 27th December until 2nd January. Most of the shops in the towns are closed from Boxing Day until New Year's Eve. Also, many of the shops in town are closed on Tuesdays (their regular day off each week.) Still, it was not a complete loss as I got some nice photos of Hikone Castle earlier in the day.
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RaymondW
June 11, 2011 at 04:00 PM
Thanks for the tip about the 20% off coupon. I've been to Nagahama a couple of times, but I did not know about the discount coupons. Cheers, mate.
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a22cricket
June 05, 2011 at 11:32 PM
Went to Nagahama and Azuchi this weekend. This time I was able to go inside. If you go to the tourist information center at the station first they'll give you a 20% off coupon for admission. Some nice screens and scrolls in the museum but not the most interesting to visit. Great on the outside but if you get there after closing hours, you really wouldn't have missed much. I'd suggest going to Hikone early in the day then go to Nagahama in the afternoon/evening to take pictures of the castle in the sunset.
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a22cricket
on
My Page
May 16, 2011 at 07:02 PM
Went here after Hikone. The town was founded by Hideyoshi and they remind you of it everywhere. Haven't been inside it yet, I got there after closing time, but making plans to spend a weekend there.
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furinkazan
on
My Page
October 16, 2010 at 07:20 PM
This castle is beautiful and the artifacts on show are interesting. The view from the upper floor is amazing. You have a clear view on Biwa-lake.
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Admin
April 04, 2010 at 10:18 AM
The castle on the cover of that book is Azuchi Castle
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John
April 03, 2010 at 06:30 AM
Incredible. Just incredible. even though this is one of the smaller, less well known castles, I LOVE the design of the donjon.Heck, I love ALL the donjon designs, and I wish all original structures had survived here. I think the Donjon of Nagahama castle was on the cover of the book Japanese castles 1540-1640. if i'm wrong on that, will someone who has read the book show me otherwise by telling me i'm wrong on this forum,and also tell me what castle it is IF i'm wrong.
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Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
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