Hanazono Castle

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Hanazono29.jpg

History

The Fujita were leaders in the Chichibu area of Saitama focused around Yorii under the Uesugi governors of Kanto. The castle is directly across the river from Hachigata Castle so it served as an important location to watch Hachigata Castle as well as to guard the entrance to the valley that leads deeper into Chichibu. After the fall of the Uesugi, the Fujita surrendered to the Hojo and fostered Hojo Ujiyasu's fourth son. At the battle for Hachigata Castle in 1590, Hanazono Castle functioned as a satellite fortification to Hachigata Castle.


Visit Notes

This was an amazing castle ruin to visit. There was a lot more stonework here than I had imagined. The ruins are more vast and easily identifiable than I had thought too. Look at the map on this site to see how complex the castle is/was. I spent close to 3 hours exploring and taking hundreds of photos. Be aware that there are no signs nor trails so you need to take advantage of your mountain castle instincts and adventurous attitude to find it all. There are good maps and information in the 廃城をゆく book to help you out. Some people may say it's difficult to navigate and that you need a guide, but I didn't think so. Hanazono Mitake Castle, a satellite fortification of Hanazono Castle is also a short walk away at the Shorinji Temple.
これはとても素晴らしい城跡です。何年も見逃していたのが信じられません。思った以上に石積みや遺構がよく残っています。三時間近く隅々まで探検してとても楽しかったです。ただし、ここは説明板も地図も歩道もないので、気をつけながら山城の勘と冒険心を生かして楽しんできてください。廃城をゆくに載っている縄張り図も役立ちます。


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Gallery
  • Huge trench cut through bedrock around the main bailey
  • Start from the Suwa Temple.
  • The trail goes from the tree with the ribbon, behind the shrine and off to the left
  • When you reach this tatebori you've found the right place
  • Watch for the trail on the right that leads to this stonework
  • Yokobori Trench
  • Stonework
  • Stonework
  • Stone (right) and yokobori trench
  • Stonework
  • Stonework
  • Stonework
  • Parallel tatebori trenches start split from here
  • Stonework of one of the many small side baileys
  • Stonework
  • Stonework
  • Stonework
  • Stonework overlooking other side baileys
  • Stonework
  • Large trench near the top
  • Stonework
  • Note how this trench is cut right into bedrock
  • Tatebori leading to the main bailey
  • Tatebori trench and entrance to a smaller bailey
  • Yokobori trench
  • Stonework separating two baileys. Very nice.
  • Small side bailey
  • Looking from a side bailey across the trenches to the main bailey
  • Huge trench cut through bedrock around the main bailey
  • Main Bailey
  • Main Bailey
  • Stonework around the main bailey
  • Stonework around the main bailey
  • Horikiri trench between the main bailey and second bailey
  • Horikiri trench between the main bailey and second bailey
  • Stonework of the second bailey
  • Embankment and stonework
  • Tatebori trench
  • Fourth bailey
  • Tatebori trench
  • Tatebori trench
  • Yokobori trench
  • Mountain on the right is where Hanazono Castle is and the mountain on the left is the satellite castle Hanazono Mitake Castle


Castle Profile
English Name Hanazono Castle
Japanese Name 花園城
Founder Fujita Masayuki
Year Founded Kamakura Period
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access Yorii Sta. (Tobu Tojo Line), walk 20 mins
Visitor Information mountain, open any time
Time Required 120mins
Website https://www.town.yorii.saitama.jp/site/rekishikan/hanazonojyouato.html
Location Yorii, Saitama Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 7' 21.07" N, 139° 10' 20.96" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2018
Admin Year Visited 2018
Admin Visits April 1, 2018


3.50
(2 votes)
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ARTShogun

45 months ago
Score 1++
A unique site with epic trenches of rock! Wish i had more time here. Would go again.