Kinzan Castle: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "{{Castle |English Name=Kinzan Castle |Japanese Name=金山城 |Romaji Name=Kinzan-jo |Founder=Akechi Mitsuhide |Year Founded=1578 |Castle Type=Mountaintop |Castle Condition=Ruins only |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period |Features=trenches, stone walls |Access=Sasayamaguchi Station or Kaibara Station, bus |Visitor Information=Mountain trails, open any time |Time Required=150 mins |City=Tanba Sasayama |Prefecture=Hyogo Prefecture |History=Kinzan Castle (金山城), located o...")
 
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|Romaji Name=Kinzan-jo
|Romaji Name=Kinzan-jo
|Founder=Akechi Mitsuhide
|Founder=Akechi Mitsuhide
|Year Founded=1578
|Year Founded=1579
|Castle Type=Mountaintop
|Castle Type=Mountaintop
|Castle Condition=Ruins only
|Castle Condition=Ruins only
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|Visitor Information=Mountain trails, open any time
|Visitor Information=Mountain trails, open any time
|Time Required=150 mins
|Time Required=150 mins
|Yamaptrail=https://yamap.com/activities/37101054
|City=Tanba Sasayama
|City=Tanba Sasayama
|Prefecture=Hyogo Prefecture
|Prefecture=Hyogo Prefecture
|History=Kinzan Castle (金山城), located on the border between the Sasayama and Tamba regions of northern Hyōgo, served as a vital strategic point during Akechi Mitsuhide’s campaign to conquer Tanba Province in the late 1570s. While often overshadowed by larger sites like [[Yakami Castle]] and Kuroi Castle, Kinzan was instrumental in splitting the resistance between the Hatano clan in eastern Tanba and the Akai clan in western Tanba, thereby enabling Nobunaga’s forces to isolate and neutralize their opponents one by one.
|Notes=Kinzan Castle is perched on one of the tallest peaks dividing eastern and western Tanba. The hike involves a steep 300-meter elevation gain, but the trail is well marked and clean. Even on a weekday, I encountered a few other hikers enjoying the mountains on a crisp, clear morning.


The castle occupies a mountainous ridge that overlooks a major route connecting the eastern (Sasayama basin) and western (Kuroi–Kaibara) regions of Tanba. By fortifying this position, Mitsuhide effectively severed the ability of the two clans to reinforce one another. This was a classic example of his campaign strategy: constructing temporary fortresses and encampments to control key routes, support sieges, and project force across the rugged, fragmented terrain of Tanba.
Access is limited, and getting here requires planning. I stayed overnight in Sasayama specifically to reach the site. Only four buses a day pass the trailhead, shuttling a few local residents on the route between Sasayamaguchi and Kaibara, so timing is critical.


Kinzan Castle is believed to have been either constructed or heavily renovated by Mitsuhide’s forces during the 1578–1579 phase of the campaign, when Nobunaga ordered the total subjugation of Tanba. It likely served both as a staging ground and a forward base for surveillance and movement control.
Despite the difficulty in reaching it, the summit rewards you with sweeping views over both valleys. I was lucky to get such great weather this morning to see both [[Kuroi Castle]] and [[Yakami Castle]].  


After the fall of both the Hatano and Akai strongholds — [[Yakami Castle]] and Kuroi Castle respectively — Kinzan lost its military value and fell into obscurity. Like many jinjō, it was probably abandoned not long after the campaign ended.
At the foot of the castle lies Eirinji, a notable temple constructed within the lower baileys of the former castle. The stonework surrounding the temple is not original to the castle, but rather part of the temple complex. Around the side of Eirinji, you can find the original castle well and a visible tatebori (vertical trench) climbing toward a detached lookout-style bailey (dejiro).
|History=During Oda Nobunaga’s Tanba Campaigns, Akechi Mitsuhide faced stiff resistance from two entrenched regional powers: the Akai clan at [[Kuroi Castle]] and the Hatano clan at [[Yakami Castle]]. His first attempt to subjugate Tanba in 1575–1576 faltered due to rugged terrain, extended supply lines, and coordinated resistance between the two clans.


Today, remnants of stonework, earthworks, and bailey formations remain on the mountain, though overgrowth and limited access make exploration somewhat difficult. The site offers sweeping views over the valleys to both east and west, making its tactical importance immediately apparent to those who reach the summit.
Regrouping with a stronger logistical foundation, Mitsuhide launched a second campaign in 1578–1579. This time, his strategy followed a divide and conquer approach. The high mountain range that separated eastern and western Tanba offered a natural boundary. Mitsuhide constructed Kinzan Castle atop one of the tallest peaks in the corridor between these two adversaries, isolating them providing logistical support and intelligence. From the summit, it is actually possible to see both [[Kuroi Castle]] and [[Yakami Castle]] — a literal and symbolic high ground from which he could monitor and coordinate his campaign. Although without telescopes, the were probably a bit far to practically spy upon.
 
Construction of Kinzan Castle began soon after the siege of [[Yakami Castle]] was underway. Once Yakami fell, the isolation of [[Kuroi Castle]] followed swiftly, leading to the downfall of the Akai clan as well. With the Hatano and Akai both defeated, Kinzan Castle lost its military function and was likely abandoned.
|Year Visited=2024
|Year Visited=2024
|AddedJcastle=2025
|AddedJcastle=2025
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|GPSLocation=35.11228, 135.11385
|GPSLocation=35.11228, 135.11385
|Contributor=Eric
|Contributor=Eric
|FriendsLinks={{FriendsLinks
|FriendWebsiteName=Jokaku Horoki
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://www.hb.pei.jp/shiro/tanba/kinzan-jyo/
}}{{FriendsLinks
|FriendWebsiteName=Kojodan
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://kojodan.jp/castle/283/
}}{{FriendsLinks
|FriendWebsiteName=Yamajiro Sanka
|FriendWebsiteURL=http://ktaku.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2009/03/post-b518.html
}}{{FriendsLinks
|FriendWebsiteName=Shirobito
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://shirobito.jp/castle/2019
}}
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}}

Latest revision as of 11:53, 24 May 2025

Kinzan Castle is perched on one of the tallest peaks dividing eastern and western Tanba. The hike involves a steep 300-meter elevation gain, but the trail is well marked and clean. Even on a weekday, I encountered a few other hikers enjoying the mountains on a crisp, clear morning. Access is limite

Kinzantanba24.jpg

History

During Oda Nobunaga’s Tanba Campaigns, Akechi Mitsuhide faced stiff resistance from two entrenched regional powers: the Akai clan at Kuroi Castle and the Hatano clan at Yakami Castle. His first attempt to subjugate Tanba in 1575–1576 faltered due to rugged terrain, extended supply lines, and coordinated resistance between the two clans.

Regrouping with a stronger logistical foundation, Mitsuhide launched a second campaign in 1578–1579. This time, his strategy followed a divide and conquer approach. The high mountain range that separated eastern and western Tanba offered a natural boundary. Mitsuhide constructed Kinzan Castle atop one of the tallest peaks in the corridor between these two adversaries, isolating them providing logistical support and intelligence. From the summit, it is actually possible to see both Kuroi Castle and Yakami Castle — a literal and symbolic high ground from which he could monitor and coordinate his campaign. Although without telescopes, the were probably a bit far to practically spy upon.

Construction of Kinzan Castle began soon after the siege of Yakami Castle was underway. Once Yakami fell, the isolation of Kuroi Castle followed swiftly, leading to the downfall of the Akai clan as well. With the Hatano and Akai both defeated, Kinzan Castle lost its military function and was likely abandoned.


Field Notes

Kinzan Castle is perched on one of the tallest peaks dividing eastern and western Tanba. The hike involves a steep 300-meter elevation gain, but the trail is well marked and clean. Even on a weekday, I encountered a few other hikers enjoying the mountains on a crisp, clear morning.

Access is limited, and getting here requires planning. I stayed overnight in Sasayama specifically to reach the site. Only four buses a day pass the trailhead, shuttling a few local residents on the route between Sasayamaguchi and Kaibara, so timing is critical.

Despite the difficulty in reaching it, the summit rewards you with sweeping views over both valleys. I was lucky to get such great weather this morning to see both Kuroi Castle and Yakami Castle.

At the foot of the castle lies Eirinji, a notable temple constructed within the lower baileys of the former castle. The stonework surrounding the temple is not original to the castle, but rather part of the temple complex. Around the side of Eirinji, you can find the original castle well and a visible tatebori (vertical trench) climbing toward a detached lookout-style bailey (dejiro).


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Gallery
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Castle Profile
English Name Kinzan Castle
Japanese Name 金山城
Founder Akechi Mitsuhide
Year Founded 1579
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access Sasayamaguchi Station or Kaibara Station, bus
Hours Mountain trails, open any time
Time Required 150 mins
Hiking Trail View on Yamap
Location Tanba Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture
Coordinates 35.11228, 135.11385
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2025
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2024
Admin Visits November 8, 2024
Friends of JCastle
Jokaku Horoki
Kojodan
Yamajiro Sanka
Shirobito


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