Omi Hachiman Castle

The castle town at the base of the mountain is a well known picturesque travel destination in the area. There is currently a temple on the castle grounds at the top but few people probably visit it for the castle ruins. It also offers nice views of the area and Lake Biwa.

History

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, since he had no children of his own, adopted his sister's son Hidetsugu as his heir. At the age of 18, Hidetsugu became the lord of Omi and built his castle here on Mt. Hachiman.

Hidetsugu developed a prosperous castle town around Mt. Hachiman with craftsmen and towsnpeople taken in part from the castle town at Azuchi after its downfall. The Hachimanbori moat that went around the base of the mountain and through the castle town also connected directly to Lake Biwa and acted as a canal further helping the town to flourish. In 1590 Hidetsugu was transferred to Kiyosu castle with much larger lands in Owari and Ise.

In 1593 Hideyori was born as a natural son to Hideyoshi clouding Hidetsugu's position. In 1595 he was exiled to Mt. Koya and forced to take his own life. Shortly thereafter all his surviving family were brutally murdered by Hideyoshi.

After Hidetsugu left Omi Hachiman for Owari and Kiyosu Castle, Kyogoku Takatsugu became lord of Omi Hachiman Castle. The castle became defunct in 1595 when Kyogoku was moved to Otsu Castle. Although the lifespan of Omi Hachiman Castle was very short, the town that was founded by Hidetsugu flourished throughout the Edo Period.

Field Notes

The castle town at the base of the mountain is a well known picturesque travel destination in the area. There is currently a temple on the castle grounds at the top but few people probably visit it for the castle ruins. It also offers nice views of the area and Lake Biwa.

Gallery

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  View from the North bailey
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  View from the Western Outer Bailey
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  bailey overlooking the town
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  stone wall ruins
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  map
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  Stone wall ruins
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  Castle town and Hachimanbori moat
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  Stone wall ruins
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  bailey overooking Lake Biwa
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  Castle town street

Castle Profile
English Name	Omi Hachiman Castle
Japanese Name	近江八幡城
Alternate Names	Hachimanyama-jo
Founder	Hashiba Hidetsugu
Year Founded	1585
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Next 100 Castles
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	stone walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access	10 minute bus ride from Omi Hachiman Station (Tokaido Line)
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Omi Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.14451, 136.08215
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2004
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2004
Admin Visits	February 21, 2004

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