Chihaya Castle: Difference between revisions

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|Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
|Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
|Main Keep Structure=None
|Main Keep Structure=None
|Features=trenches
|Access=Bus from Kawachinagano Station or Tondabayashi Station
|Access=Bus from Kawachinagano Station or Tondabayashi Station
|Visitor Information=Always open/free
|Visitor Information=Always open/free
|Time Required=1.5 hours
|Time Required=1.5 hours
|Website=http://www.chihayaakasaka.org/e-index.html
|Website=https://chiaka-portal.com/History/Remains/Chihaya/chihaya.htm
|City=Osaka
|City=Osaka
|Prefecture=Osaka
|Prefecture=Osaka
|Notes=There are no structures or walls remaining from the castle. Chihaya Shrine was built on the former castle grounds.  
|Notes=Among castle fans, Chihaya Castle often gets a bad reputation. It’s on the [[Top 100 Castles]] of Japan list despite having few visible remains, and it requires a long bus ride from Osaka and a torturous climb up seemingly endless stairs. For years I put off visiting for exactly those reasons, but in the end, Chihaya was worth the visit. Maybe it's not Top 100 quality, but the connection to Kusunoki Masashige and visits to some nearby castles ([[Kami Akasaka Castle]] and [Shimo Akasaka Castle]]) made it a worthwhile day out.  
<p>
 
On weekends, there are frequent buses (2 or 3 per hour) from Kawachinagano Station. There are also buses from Tondabayashi Station. Buses take about 20-30 minutes. Get off at Kongosanguchi.
First, the hike isn’t bad at all if you avoid the endless stairs. A well maintained hiking trail up to Mt. Kongo bypasses them. After about 15 minutes there’s a clearly marked side path that cuts over to the castle. Second, there’s actually more to see than many people give it credit for. The second, third, and fourth baileys are now occupied by the temple, but behind it the main bailey still shows some yamajiro features: a dry moat, carved terraces, kirigishi slopes, and even some small koshiguruwa side baileys hidden in the woods. The stone wall you see there isn’t original, but the raised ground likely supported a lookout or yagura foundation.
</p>
 
<p>The Castle Stamp is located inside Matsumasa Restaurant. They also have a paper with information about the castle.</p>
Be aware that some old materials still feature the Kongosan Ropeway, a side attraction that carried visitors to the top of the mountain for great views and hiking trails. It was closed and dismantled in 2022 due to deteriorating equipment.
<p>Profile and photos by Jcastle contributor Phibbyfan.</p>
|History=Chihaya Castle was built in 1332 by Kusunoki Masashige during the Genko War, when Emperor Go-Daigo challenged the Kamakura shogunate. It became famous for withstanding repeated assaults thanks to Masashige’s clever guerrilla tactics — rolling boulders, setting log traps, and even using “dummy” warriors to make it look like he had more defenders than he really did. The shogunate army eventually gave up trying to take it.
|History=Chihaya Castle was built in 1332 by Kusunoki Masashige, a loyalist to Emperor Go-Daigo. After the fall of nearby Akasaka Castle, Kusunoki built up Chihaya Castle to defend against the Hojo. When they attacked in 1333, he successfully forced them out. The tactics used by Kusunoki to defend the castle, such as creating dummy warriors with straw and extra armor, knocking down trees and pushing boulders onto enemies as they tried to ascend, etc. have made the Siege of Chihaya Castle one of Japan's stand-out military battle tales.
|Year Visited=2025
<p>
|AddedJcastle=2014
Chihaya Castle remained under the emperor's domain until the Ashikaga overtook it in 1390. The castle was then abandoned.</p>
|Visits=Feb 14, 2025
|Year Visited=Viewer Contributed
|GPSLocation=34.4162, 135.65294
|GPSLocation=34.41723, 135.6512
|Contributor=Eric
|rating_average=1.33
|FriendsLinks={{FriendsLinks
|castleElev=611
|FriendWebsiteName=Shiro Meguri Fan
|ekiLatLng=34.397621,135.595552
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://www.shirofan.com/shiro/kinki/chihaya/chihaya.html
|ekiElev=230
}}{{FriendsLinks
|elevChange=381
|FriendWebsiteName=Kojodan
|kamon=kusunoki.jpg
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://kojodan.jp/castle/72/
|kamonFam=Kusunoki
}}{{FriendsLinks
|adminRating=1
|FriendWebsiteName=Shirobito
|oldID=379
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://shirobito.jp/castle/59
}}{{FriendsLinks
|FriendWebsiteName=Jokaku Horoki
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://www.hb.pei.jp/shiro/kawachi/chihaya-jyo/
}}
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 20:43, 28 September 2025

Among castle fans, Chihaya Castle often gets a bad reputation. It’s on the Top 100 Castles of Japan list despite having few visible remains, and it requires a long bus ride from Osaka and a torturous climb up seemingly endless stairs. For years I put off visiting for exactly those reasons, but i

Chihayacastle7.jpg

History

Chihaya Castle was built in 1332 by Kusunoki Masashige during the Genko War, when Emperor Go-Daigo challenged the Kamakura shogunate. It became famous for withstanding repeated assaults thanks to Masashige’s clever guerrilla tactics — rolling boulders, setting log traps, and even using “dummy” warriors to make it look like he had more defenders than he really did. The shogunate army eventually gave up trying to take it.


Field Notes

Among castle fans, Chihaya Castle often gets a bad reputation. It’s on the Top 100 Castles of Japan list despite having few visible remains, and it requires a long bus ride from Osaka and a torturous climb up seemingly endless stairs. For years I put off visiting for exactly those reasons, but in the end, Chihaya was worth the visit. Maybe it's not Top 100 quality, but the connection to Kusunoki Masashige and visits to some nearby castles (Kami Akasaka Castle and [Shimo Akasaka Castle]]) made it a worthwhile day out.

First, the hike isn’t bad at all if you avoid the endless stairs. A well maintained hiking trail up to Mt. Kongo bypasses them. After about 15 minutes there’s a clearly marked side path that cuts over to the castle. Second, there’s actually more to see than many people give it credit for. The second, third, and fourth baileys are now occupied by the temple, but behind it the main bailey still shows some yamajiro features: a dry moat, carved terraces, kirigishi slopes, and even some small koshiguruwa side baileys hidden in the woods. The stone wall you see there isn’t original, but the raised ground likely supported a lookout or yagura foundation.

Be aware that some old materials still feature the Kongosan Ropeway, a side attraction that carried visitors to the top of the mountain for great views and hiking trails. It was closed and dismantled in 2022 due to deteriorating equipment.


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Gallery
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  • stairs route
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Castle Profile
English Name Chihaya Castle
Japanese Name 千早城
Founder Kusunoki Masashige
Year Founded 1332
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Top 100 Castles, Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Main Keep Structure None
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Bus from Kawachinagano Station or Tondabayashi Station
Hours Always open/free
Time Required 1.5 hours
URL Castle Website
Location Osaka, Osaka
Coordinates 34.4162, 135.65294
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2014
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2025
Admin Visits Feb 14, 2025
Friends of JCastle
Shiro Meguri Fan
Kojodan
Shirobito
Jokaku Horoki


1.75
(4 votes)
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