Sasao Castle

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SasaoToride (2).JPG

History

Takeda Nobutora built Sasao Castle when he was fighting with the local warlords for control of the Kai region. It is situated in the border area between Kai and Shinano to also help prevent assistance from the Suwa who were allied with the local lords of Kai. During the time of Takeda Shingen, troops were stationed here for the same reason. After the fall of the Takeda, there were a lot of skirmishes between the Hojo and Tokugawa in this area but there are no records of Sasao Castle playing a role.


Visit Notes

A small castle ruin located on the cliff overlooking the river valley below. From the Nagano side it's downhill to get to the castle which is basically a flatland castle but the castle on the cliff is like a mountaintop castle from valley side. It reminds me of Nagurumi Castle in that sense. On the day I went, the first bailey, on the edge of the cliff, was closed off after heavy rains due to fallen trees and the danger of further erosion.
長野・八ヶ岳側から行くとちょっと下って行く位置にある平城っぽい城跡ですが、谷の方から見ると山城です。この面では名胡桃城に似ています。訪れた日は台風と大雨の後で倒木のため残念ながら一の郭には入れませんでした。


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Gallery
  • Third Bailey
  • Second bailey embankment
  • Third Bailey
  • Moat between the second and third baileys
  • Embankment of the second bailey
  • Embankment of the second bailey
  • Embankment of the second bailey
  • View from the third bailey
  • Route to the second bailey
  • Steep cliff side of the third bailey
  • Moat between the second and third baileys
  • Moat between the second and third baileys
  • Horikiri moat between the fifth and sixth baileys
  • Map
  • No admittance.
  • Horikiri (trench)
  • Dorui (earthen ramparts)
  • Main bailey ensconced by dorui
  • Dorui in second bailey
  • Second dorui and bailey


Castle Profile
English Name Sasao Castle
Japanese Name 笹尾城
Alternate Names Sasao-toride (笹尾砦・笹尾塁)
Founder Takeda Nobutora
Year Founded 1531
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Kobuchisawa Sta (Chuo Line), 45 min walk
Visitor Information Mountain, open any time
Time Required 30 mins
Location Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates 35° 50' 7.98" N, 138° 19' 11.78" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2016
Admin Year Visited 2015
Admin Visits September 22, 2015
Friends of JCastle
Jōkaku Hōrōki
Umoreta Kojō
Kojō Seisuiki
Yogo
Oshiro Tabi Nikki
Kojōdan
Shiro Meguri


2.00
(2 votes)
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ARTShogun

6 months ago
Score 0++

My impressions, having been able to enter into the integral baileys:

Sasao-toride is an earthworks fortification ruin in Kobuchizawa Township, Hokuto Municipality. The locality is called Shimosasō. This is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) site, but is easy to get to as it sits on a ridge extending from a plateau with vehicle access. The fort consisted of baileys surrounded by dorui (earthen ramparts) and separated by horikiri (trenches). The mountainsides were further fortified with tatebori (climbing trenches). The site's parking area has damaged some ruins, and the ruins toward the plateau side are very degraded. However, the ruins toward the end of the ridge are quite well preserved. The dorui around the first and second baileys is impressive. The horikiri between the first and second baileys is prominent. This area of the ruins is maintained as a local park and historic site.
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ARTShogun

6 months ago
Score 0++
I've added some pictures of the (interiors of) the first and second bailey, as well as their ramparts and the dividing horikiri. Also added co-ordinates for new pictures. Begging pardon of the webmaster, but i also swapped out the highlight image, swapping the picture of the parking area, for an updated picture showing the main bailey.