Yuzawa Castle
History
Yuzawa Castle was built by Onodera Michisada in 1277 to guard the south of Ogachi district. Yuzawa Castle supplemented nearby Inaniwa Castle where the Onodera clan was based for much of the feudal era. In 1593 the Mogami began their invasion of Ogachi District. Over a period of 10 days the Mogami had defeated a series of forts leading up to Yuzawa Castle, and by that time their soldiers were exhausted and, confronted with Yuzawajō, they had to pull back. However, several years later a renewed invasion saw Yuzawa Castle surrounded by thousands of soldiers, many of them from nearby Yuri District. Isolated and with no reinforcements from the Onodera forthcoming, the defenders fought on but it was futile. The castle fell to the Mogami. From 1602 the Satake Clan controlled the castle from Akita. In 1620, per the “one country, one castle” ordinance, Yuzawa Castle was demolished.
Visit Notes
Visiting Yuzawajō was a hiking adventure. Luckily there were sign posts indicating the castle ruins, so I was able to find and identify all of the features without getting too lost. The view from the top of the mountain was also impressive as one could see all of Yuzawa spread out below.
Profile and photos contributed by AdamT
Castle Profile | |
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English Name | Yuzawa Castle |
Japanese Name | 湯沢城 |
Founder | Onodera Michisada |
Year Founded | 1277 |
Castle Type | Mountaintop |
Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
Features | gates, trenches |
Visitor Information | |
Access | Yukawa Sta. (Ou Main Line), 15 minute walk |
Visitor Information | 24hr/ free |
Time Required | 2 hours |
Location | Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture |
Coordinates | 39° 9' 35.39" N, 140° 29' 57.44" E |
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Admin | |
Added to Jcastle | 2016 |
Contributor | ART |
Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
Friends of JCastle | |
Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
Kojō Seisuiki |
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