Iwasakiyama Fort: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:35, 15 June 2025

Iwasakiyama Fort is easily accessible via a short walk from Yogo Station, making it the most approachable site in the Shizugatake fort network. At the top of the ridge, the fort’s layout spreads across three points facing north, forming a defensive line aimed at any force advancing from the valley f

History

Iwasakiyama Fort was the northernmost fortification in the chain of field castles extending southward toward Shizugatake Fort. It marked the one end of Hideyoshi’s second defensive line, overlooking the northern tip of Lake Yogo and guarding the approach into Yogo Valley.

The fort was held by Takayama Ukon, the Christian daimyō known for his tactical acumen and loyalty to Hideyoshi. During the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583, Iwasakiyama came under attack alongside nearby Oiwayama Fort. However, Takayama reportedly offered little resistance, abandoning the position and retreating back to Tagamiyama Castle.

Contemporary accounts suggest this decision may have been influenced by the fact that the fort’s construction was not yet complete and lacked sufficient defenses to withstand a serious assault.

Field Notes

Iwasakiyama Fort is easily accessible via a short walk from Yogo Station, making it the most approachable site in the Shizugatake fort network. At the top of the ridge, the fort’s layout spreads across three points facing north, forming a defensive line aimed at any force advancing from the valley floor.

Compared to Oiwayama Fort or Shizugatake Fort, the site feels more overgrown making the individual features a little harder to identify. There is a marked trail with a few signs that extend into the rear of the castle area, but I saw many hikers simply walk by the entrance, offering only a passing glance up the hillside.

While it may be less famous than Oiwayama and dismissed due to its supposedly incomplete state, Iwasakiyama actually has more structure than the story suggests.

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Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Iwasakiyama Fort
Japanese Name	岩崎山砦
Founder	Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Year Founded	1583
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	JR Yogo Station; 15 min walk
Hours	Mountain trails, signposted
Time Required	30 mins
Hiking Trail	View on Yamap
Jcastle Video	Jcastle YouTube
Location	Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.53054, 136.20442
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2024
Admin Visits	April 29, 2024
Friends of JCastle
Jokaku Horoki

1.00

(one vote)

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@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
 |Features=trenches
-|Access=Hiking trail north from Oiwayama; descent route to Yogo Station
+|Access=JR Yogo Station; 15 min walk
+|Visitor Information=Mountain trails, signposted
 |Time Required=30 mins
+|Yamaptrail=https://yamap.com/activities/40242143
+|YoutubeJcastle=https://youtube.com/shorts/1c9otkQtGIM?si=qlzS-94-5fMQsu_H
 |City=Nagahama
 |Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture
-|History=Iwasakiyama Fort was the northernmost fortification in the chain of field castles extending southward toward [[Shizugatake Fort]]. It marked the outer edge of Hideyoshi’s second defensive line, overlooking the northern tip of Lake Yogo and guarding the approach into Yogo Valley.
+|Notes=Iwasakiyama Fort is easily accessible via a short walk from Yogo Station, making it the most approachable site in the Shizugatake fort network. At the top of the ridge, the fort’s layout spreads across three points facing north, forming a defensive line aimed at any force advancing from the valley floor.
+Compared to [[Oiwayama Fort]] or [[Shizugatake Fort]], the site feels more overgrown making the individual features a little harder to identify. There is a marked trail with a few signs that extend into the rear of the castle area, but I saw many hikers simply walk by the entrance, offering only a passing glance up the hillside.
+While it may be less famous than Oiwayama and dismissed due to its supposedly incomplete state, Iwasakiyama actually has more structure than the story suggests.
+|History=Iwasakiyama Fort was the northernmost fortification in the chain of field castles extending southward toward [[Shizugatake Fort]]. It marked the one end of Hideyoshi’s second defensive line, overlooking the northern tip of Lake Yogo and guarding the approach into Yogo Valley.
 The fort was held by Takayama Ukon, the Christian daimyō known for his tactical acumen and loyalty to Hideyoshi. During the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583, Iwasakiyama came under attack alongside nearby [[Oiwayama Fort]]. However, Takayama reportedly offered little resistance, abandoning the position and retreating back to [[Tagamiyama Castle]].