Okkoshi Castle

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Okkoshi9.jpg

History
The early history of Okkoshi Castle is unclear. The local lord of the Yokoo clan, a vassal of the Murakami, had a home behind this castle. The castle is very small, just occupying one small hilltop ridge that extends between two rivers. It is high enough to provide a good view of the surrounding plains and easily defensible sitting between the two rivers. Though small, it seems like an ideal location for a satellite castle. Nearby, a short walk west, is <a href="http://jcastle.info/castle/profile/631-Obiki-Castle">Obiki Castle</a>, a significantly larger castle, and at the top of the mountain just North of Okkoshi and Obiki Castles is Nagao Castle. This area was an important defense on the roads leading to Ueda and Matsushiro. It would make sense that these three castles all worked together as the main defense for this side of the plain and for watching over these roads. There are also trails from Obiki Castle and the temple behind Okkoshi Castle (Shinkoji) that lead to Nagao Castle.

Yokoo Nobumitsu died at the Battle of Uedahara (1548), despite it being a great victory for the Murakami. His son was too young to become the new lord so the lands went to the Sanada. It is likely the Sanada manned it as one of the fortifications in their rich network around this plain. Even though each castle is not necessarily large nor strong the advanced network of castles around this area creates a formidable defense. The temple (Shinkoji) behind the castle was erected by Sanada Masayuki to his brother who perished at the Battle of Nagashino.


Visit Notes

The site is not well signposted and it took some effort to find where the castle begins and ends. Basically from the Kuromon Gate, the ridge extending to the right (east) was the castle. You can make out some baileys that created the castle. If I were to go again, I would start from here and try to find the trail to Nagao Castle which should be around Shinkoji Temple and take it to Nagao Castle and down to Obiki Castle on the other side. There are many Sanada related castles nearby. It would take several days to see them all.
城跡の案内板が少なくて、曲輪などがちょっとわかりづらいです。黒門から東へ(右へ)と伸びる尾根が城跡でその上が曲輪に分かれています。また行くとしたら、信綱寺からの登山道で長尾城へ行ってから尾引城に降りてみたいと思います。近くに真田氏ゆかりの城跡が多いので全部登城するのに数日かかりそうです。


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Gallery
  • Bailey
  • Kuromon Gate.
  • Ruins of the masugata gate
  • Masugata gate
  • Horikiri and bailey
  • Path to a bailey
  • Bailey
  • Path alongside the baileys
  • Bailey
  • Bailey
  • Path to one of the baileys
  • View from the castle
  • 2 other castles of the Sanada
  • Memorial to significant Sanada events.
  • Map
  • Map of the castle grounds


Castle Profile
English Name Okkoshi Castle
Japanese Name 打越城
Alternate Names Uchigoya-jo, Yokoo-jo
Founder Yokoo Clan
Year Founded unknown
Castle Type Hilltop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Ueda Sta. (Shinano Railway, Nagano Bullet train), 25 minute bus to Yukimuranosato bus stop (Sugadaira bus from #3 bus stop at Ueda Sta), 10 min walk
Visitor Information mountain trails open any time
Time Required 30 mins
Location Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 26' 48.77" N, 138° 18' 33.41" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2016
Admin Year Visited 2016
Admin Visits March 31, 2016


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