Tsubokasayama Castle

History

Most sources say the castle was built for the Siege of Shiga (志賀の陣 Shiga no jin) in 1570, but we do not know for sure. It may have been built earlier as one of many fortifications around the Mt. Hiei mountain range and to help watch over the Shiratori-goe pass into Kyoto.

While Nobunaga was preoccupied with the Battle of Ishiyama Honganji in Osaka, the combined forces of Asakura/Azai established an encampment here. From this castle, they could easily get to the top of Mt Hiei (Enryakuji) via the Shiratori-goe pass and drop down for attacks on northern Kyoto. They could connect to the Yamanaka-goe pass enter around the modern day Ginkakuji area. Two satellite castles or forts, Ahoyama Castle and Mikoshiyama Castle were also built on nearby mountaintops to give the impression of a larger and more well fortified presence than it actually was.

When Mori Yoshinari, castellan of Usayama Castle, was killed in attacks by the Asakura/Azai, Nobunaga returned to Usayama Castle to fortify the position. The battle ended after two months with a treaty and the Asakura/Azai abandoned Tsubokasayama Castle. Nobunaga then razed Enryakuji in retaliation for the support the monks provided to the Asakura/Azai among other reasons.

Tsubokasayama Castle may have been restored and used by Akechi Mitsuhide until Sakamoto Castle was finished. However, I believe that the history did not end there either. Given the position along the Shiratori-goe pass, the route into Enryakuji, and great views of the area including Lake Biwa and Sakamoto Castle I think it is likely that Mitsuhide continued to use this as a satellite fortification and that is why we have well preserved ruins today, similar to Usayama Castle. The design of the castle, extensive stonework, and even stone wall fortified koguchi entrances are much more advanced than you would expect for the short lived jinshiro encampment of the Asakura/Azai or even a temporary castle until Sakamoto Castle was finished.

Visit Notes

I was thwarted 3 other times that I tried to visit for snow or rain. It is not one of the easier castles to find either since it is not marked on maps and even the trail goes right by it without pointing out the castle. You need to find the purple ribbon marked trees along the trail and just start climbing finding your way up the last 50m or so of elevation. The rest of the trail goes on to the top of Mt Hiei (or Yumemigaoka) so don't miss it! I've heard of others trying to reach the castle only ending up at the top of Mt Hiei. Check the photos and GPS locations below so you can find the right place too.

The castle itself is mainly one bailey at the top of the circular mountaintop (which was also the site of an old kofun burial tomb). Around the main bailey are a few partial koshiguruwa or obikuruwa baileys and two entrances to the castle. Around these side baileys you will find most of the stone wall remains. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of stonework and ruined walls scattered about the site. The central bailey is also the site of a kofun. There is a kofun park along the main trail to the castle and many other kofun ruins along the way too.

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Castle Profile
English Name	Tsubokasayama Castle
Japanese Name	壺笠山城
Founder	Azai Nagamasa
Year Founded	1570 (?)
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Anoo Sta. (Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line) 60 min walk/hike
Visitor Information	mountain, open 24x7
Time Required	70 mins
Location	Otsu, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 3' 20.34" N, 135° 51' 5.40" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2024
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2024
Admin Visits	February 4, 2024
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