Kitano Castle (Ina)

History

Kitanojō was a base of the 中越氏 (Nakaetsu Clan? There's like five different ways to read this) from the Muromachi Period. Although there is a theory that Kitanojō was built as part of a network of castles to guard against Takeda Shingen's invasion of the valley, the structure of the castle is more in line with a fortified residence for a clan. It seems it was not the clan's main residence though.

Visit Notes

Kitanojō ("North Castle") is a scenic site featuring dorui (earth-piled ramparts), karabori (dry moats) and kuruwa (baileys). The shukuruwa (main bailey) is surrounded by earthen ramparts which still rise quite tall. There is a ditch to the east. To the north and west the Heaven Dragon River flows by, and the castle ruins sit atop of fabulous rockfaces bordering the fast-flowing waters.

Kitanojō is paired with Ina Shimono Castle ("Lower Castle"), located across a small river. Why "Lower Castle" and "North Castle" go together and not "North Castle" and "South Castle" or "Upper Castle" and "Lower Castle" I don't know, although it may have been part of a network of fortifications which also included such castles as "Main Castle", "Middle Castle", "Upper Castle", and so on. "Lower Castle" makes sense in reference to the Tenryū River which flows southward.

Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Kitano Castle (Ina)
Japanese Name	伊那北ノ城
Founder	中越氏
Year Founded	Muromachi Period
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Karabori, Dorui, Kuruwa
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Akagi Station on the Iida Line; 24 minute walk
Visitor Information	24/7 free; park
Time Required	30 minutes
Location	Miyada, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 46' 21.58" N, 137° 57' 37.01" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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