Nishio Castle

From Jcastle.info

Nishio9.jpg

History

The history of Nishio Castle actually dates back to the 13th century with a castle called Saijo-jo built by Ashikaga Yoshiuji around 1221. After the Ashikaga, several different lords ruled over the castle gradually expanding it's territory. Under the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Sakai Shigetada fortified the castle in 1585 with moats, stone walls, yagura, gates and a tenshu, turning it into a modern castle. Lordship of the castle changed hands many times during the Edo Period and it was eventually dismantled during the Meiji Restoration.


Visit Notes

There are some samurai homes and other historic sites in the city too, but it was getting too late to go anywhere else.


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Gallery
  • Ushitora Yagura
  • Ushitora Yagura
  • Chuujakumon Gate
  • Chuujakumon Gate
  • wall
  • Inside of the Ushitora Yagura
  • moat
  • earthen embankment
  • earthen embankment
  • stone wall
  • Map
  • tenshudai
  • NINOMARU Ushitora Yagura, reconstructed in 2020


Castle Profile
English Name Nishio Castle
Japanese Name 西尾城
Alternate Names Saijo-jo, Tsuru-jo, Tsuruga-jo
Founder
Year Founded 1221
Castle Type Flatland
Castle Condition No main keep but other buildings
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Edo Period
Features gates, turrets, water moats, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access Nishio Sta. (Meitetsu Nishio Line); 15 min walk
Visitor Information
Time Required
Website http://www.city.nishio.aichi.jp/index.cfm/8,2179,92,417,html
Location Nishio, Aichi Prefecture
Coordinates 34° 51' 58.72" N, 137° 2' 52.94" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2009
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2009
Admin Visits October 15, 2009


2.67
(9 votes)
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ARTShogun

6 months ago
Score 0++
The new yagura seems to have been done a bit on the cheap. The black paint (used in place of lacquer?) is already fading to brown. Combined with the concrete in the “restored” stone platform of the tower, and the (for legal reasons) still uncompleted final floor which means that tower can’t be entered, a second viewing proved a little disappointing.
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FurinkazanDaimyo

14 months ago
Score 0++
On 13/12/2022, I encountered a man training to be a guide at Ansho castle, who lives nearby Nishio castle. He proposed to visit the castle together. I wanted to visit this one again since the Ushitora turret and a part of the byobudobei(earthen rampart in folding screen shape) have been reconstructed since my last visit in 2014.
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ARTShogun

40 months ago
Score 1++
Added pictures of restored Dorui, Byobu-Ore walls, Tenshudai and the reconstructed Ninomaru Ushitora-yagura.
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ARTShogun

66 months ago
Score 1++
Added picture of Tenshudai to photo gallery
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ARTShogun

72 months ago
Score 1++
There is also a large teahouse and exhibits at a museum in the castle park (which includes yoroi sets and models of the original tenshu). The “Tea Palace,” as I nicknamed it, actually called Kyū-Konoetei, is a must visit in Nishio because the city is famous for its production of green tea, the taste of which is much sweeter than the bitter matcha served in Uji style.
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FurinkazanDaimyo

120 months ago
Score 0++
After Okazaki, i went to this castle. The Ushitorayagura and museum were open and it's free. I could also take photos of everything in the museum which contains some nice armors and other artifacts. The reconstructed gate is very well done. I don't see any images or commentary of the reconstructed tenshukakudai. This has a very newish look and apparently they are still making work on the west side of it. I give it only 2.5 stars because there is no tenshu, but don't hesitate to visit. It will be nice to see some other parts reconstructed.
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Alek 31Ashigaru

139 months ago
Score 0++
The castle is basically a three-storied turret. The inside can be visited, but no exhibits are available and it`s difficult to see the view from the last level. My reasons for grating three stars: entry to the turret and museum is free, the museum guides are very enthusiastic and offer ample explanations regarding the castle history and the tea house located in the ninomaru area. The tea house has an amazing garden, aa beautiful view of the castle, you can take pictures inside, the staff is frendly and informative. And of course, you get a chance to enjoy a wonderful matcha set (one of the best I had in Japan; personally, I think it beat anything I had in Kyoto). If you`re in the area and you have time,give it a chance.
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RaymondWDaimyo

153 months ago
Score 0++
The curse of Monday strikes again! This is another one of those minor castle sites in Japan that is closed on Mondays. There is a museum, a gate, and a turret, but both the museum and turret were closed. Some restored water moats and earthen embankments can be seen. There are also the remains of a well in the honmaru remains. Some remnants of original ishigaki can still be seen. Since I could not visit either the turret or museum, I can only give this castle site, a one-star rating on Mondays. If you are using a JR Seishun-18 ticket, you can get off at JR Anjo and either walk to the Meitetsu Kita-Anjo or Minami-Anjo Station. The latter has more trains because the express trains also stop there. A one-way Meitetsu ticket from either of the Anjo stations to Nishio Station cost 340yen. From Nishio Station, it is around a 15 minute walk to the site.