Shobudani Fort: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:48, 23 June 2025

Shobudani Fort is positioned along the southern slope of Tohnoyama Fort, functioning as a satellite fort guarding the approach from the valley below. It has distinct trenches and embankments still visible. Unfortunately, it is not shown in the map signboard, but the two ridges that extend from t

History

Shobudani Fort was constructed as part of Hideyoshi’s forward defensive line during the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It functioned as a satellite outpost of Tohnoyama Fort, securing the lower approach to the mountain along with the much smaller Mizotani Fort.

Field Notes

Shobudani Fort is positioned along the southern slope of Tohnoyama Fort, functioning as a satellite fort guarding the approach from the valley below. It has distinct trenches and embankments still visible. Unfortunately, it is not shown in the map signboard, but the two ridges that extend from the edge of the fort down to the base of the mountain were also fortified with some leveled areas and embankments almost creating new forts themselves. The complete map of the castle site seen elsewhere looks like a giant crab claw.

There are a few ways to reach the site. The main approach is via the old logging road past the barrier. From there, turn left and continue up the valley until you can see the ridge top and just pick a spot to start scaling the mountainside. This is what I did the first time. It take you right to teh center of the castle. It is also possible to descend into Shobudani after visiting Tohnoyama, which is what I did on my second visit. This trail is narrower and steeper but quite direct and clear and allows you to visit in conjunction with Tohnoyama Fort.

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Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Shobudani Fort
Japanese Name	菖蒲谷砦
Founder	Hashiba Hideyoshi
Year Founded	1583
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	JR Yogo Station, 3.5 km to the trailhead
Hours	No clear trails, map signboard on site only
Time Required	45–60 mins on site
Hiking Trail	View on Yamap
Location	Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.55168, 136.21014
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2023, 2025
Admin Visits	April 28, 2023; April 20, 2025

2.00

(one vote)

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@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |Castle Condition=Ruins only
 |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
-|Features=trenches, baileys, earthworks
+|Features=trenches
-|Access=From JR Yogo Station, 3.5 km to the trailhead (same entrance as Tohnoyama Fort). Approximately 30–40 min hike uphill.
+|Access=JR Yogo Station, 3.5 km to the trailhead
-|Visitor Information=Signposted but less maintained than Tohnoyama. Trail is steep and narrow in parts.
+|Visitor Information=No clear trails, map signboard on site only
 |Time Required=45–60 mins on site
+|Yamaptrail=https://yamap.com/activities/40828441
 |City=Nagahama
 |Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture
-|Notes=Shobudani Fort is positioned along the southern slope of [[Tohnoyama Fort]], functioning as a satellite fort guarding the approach from the valley below. It’s one of the best-preserved examples of a small forward outpost in the Shizugatake network, with distinct trenches and embankments still visible.
+|Notes=Shobudani Fort is positioned along the southern slope of [[Tohnoyama Fort]], functioning as a satellite fort guarding the approach from the valley below. It has distinct trenches and embankments still visible. Unfortunately, it is not shown in the map signboard, but the two ridges that extend from the edge of the fort down to the base of the mountain were also fortified with some leveled areas and embankments almost creating new forts themselves. The complete map of the castle site seen elsewhere looks like a giant crab claw.
-There are a few ways to reach the site. The main approach is via the old logging road past the barrier near the Hachiman Shrine. From there, turn left toward Shobudani before ascending further to Tohnoyama. It is also possible to descend into Shobudani after visiting Tohnoyama, which is what I did. This trail is narrower and steeper but quite direct.
+There are a few ways to reach the site. The main approach is via the old logging road past the barrier. From there, turn left and continue up the valley until you can see the ridge top and just pick a spot to start scaling the mountainside. This is what I did the first time. It take you right to teh center of the castle. It is also possible to descend into Shobudani after visiting Tohnoyama, which is what I did on my second visit. This trail is narrower and steeper but quite direct and clear and allows you to visit in conjunction with [[Tohnoyama Fort]].
+|History=Shobudani Fort was constructed as part of Hideyoshi’s forward defensive line during the [[Battle of Shizugatake]] in 1583. It functioned as a satellite outpost of [[Tohnoyama Fort]], securing the lower approach to the mountain along with the much smaller [[Mizotani Fort]].
-The ruins are compact but well-defined. A clear trench line runs along the ridge with embankments forming the rear and side enclosures. This would have been a last-ditch defensive position or look-out point for guarding the rear slopes of the main Tohnoyama stronghold.
+|Year Visited=2023, 2025
-|History=Shobudani Fort was constructed as part of Hideyoshi’s northern defense line during the [[Battle of Shizugatake]] in 1583. It functioned as a satellite outpost of [[Tohnoyama Fort]], securing the lower approach to the mountain and forming part of the layered defenses protecting the eastern sector.
+|AddedJcastle=2025
+|Visits=April 28, 2023; April 20, 2025
-While small in scale, forts like Shobudani allowed for constant communication and monitoring across the ridgeline. It may have been manned by a small group of retainers under Hori Hidemasa’s broader command structure. No direct fighting is recorded here, but it likely served an important role in detecting any encirclement attempts or retreating forces from the Shibata side.
-|Visits=April 20, 2025
 |GPSLocation=35.55168, 136.21014
 |Contributor=Eric
 }}