History
See Shioda Castle.
Visit Notes
I have grouped the Nishi-toride (West Fort) of Shiodajō with the slightly higher elevated middle fort branch of the Upper Castle since they're on the same ridge and the elevation difference between this ridge and the Upper Castle is stark. The Nishi-toride proper is made up of three baileys separated by earthen walls carved from the ridge. The shukuruwa (main bailey) is at the rear and top, with the second and third baileys sequentially below. At the rear of the shukuruwa is a yaguradai (platform for turret) which appears to simply be a large boulder. Here the line of the ridge climbs up narrow and rocky. After some climbing one reaches the middle forts, which are a series of very small baileys on rocky peaks with depressions between them. To climb this section one needs to be prepared to grapple with ropes and rocks, risking dangerous drops.
I was in a wonderland of moss and boulders. Nature here is very beautiful. The sun was out and there were butterflies around me. I felt like a very ugly Disney princess in a mystical place. The moss covering the rocks was thick and lush, and upon one floating slab of moss-drenched rock grew a tiny tree; it looked for all the world like nature itself had contrived a beautiful bonsai arrangement. There were many such arrangements up and down the ridge. I followed the ridge up to the Kōbōyama-toride, otherwise known as the Upper Castle of Shiodajō.
Castle Profile | |
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English Name | Shiodajou Nishi Fort |
Japanese Name | 塩田城西砦 |
Alternate Names | West Fort Group & Middle Fort Group |
Founder | Hōjō Yoshimasa |
Year Founded | 1277 |
Castle Type | Mountaintop |
Castle Condition | Ruins only |
Designations | Prefectural Historic Site |
Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
Artifacts | Kuruwa, Horikiri, Yaguradai |
Features | trenches |
Visitor Information | |
Access | Shiodamachi Station on the Besshō Line; 35 minute walk to trail head |
Visitor Information | 24/7 free; mountain |
Time Required | 30 minutes |
Location | Ueda, Nagano Prefecture |
Coordinates | 36° 20' 19.18" N, 138° 11' 38.54" E |
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Admin | |
Added to Jcastle | 2022 |
Contributor | ART |
Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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