Takahara Castle (Shinano)

Takaharajō is located in the village of Tenjinbara in the Okuyamada area of Takayama Rural Municipality, Upper Takai County. Okuyamada means 'inner Yamada', and Yamada village is located to the west in the Nakayama area of Takayama Municipality. Was Nakayama originally 'Nakayamada' or something? Whe

History

The castle mount is called Kamayama ('Sickle Hill') by locals, and it is speculated that this is a corruption of the term 'kamae', referring to a fortification. Takaharajō may have been a small fort for the protection of the village, or a checkpoint fort for monitoring the mountain pass above, but the castellan is unknown.

Field Notes

Takaharajō is located in the village of Tenjinbara in the Okuyamada area of Takayama Rural Municipality, Upper Takai County. Okuyamada means 'inner Yamada', and Yamada village is located to the west in the Nakayama area of Takayama Municipality. Was Nakayama originally 'Nakayamada' or something? Where one township ends and another begins in Japan seems to be the product of much blood and tears spilt by peasants and militiamen of the bleak feudal eras.

The ruins of Takaharajō sit on a small hill overlooking a deep gorge. The ruins chiefly include earthworks such as flattened bailey spaces and terraces.

Gallery

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  Main bailey from below
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Castle Profile
English Name	Takahara Castle (Shinano)
Japanese Name	信濃高原城
Founder	Unknown
Year Founded	Unknown
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Suzaka Station on the Nagano Line; rent bicycle from education centre opposite station; cycle to Takayama Village
Hours	24/7 free; fields
Time Required	30 minutes
Location	Takayama, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.67975, 138.40476
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
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