Besshoyama Fort: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "{{Castle |English Name=Besshoyama Fort |Japanese Name=別所山砦 |Romaji Name=Besshoyama Toride |Founder=Shibata Katsuie |Year Founded=1583 |Castle Type=Mountaintop |Castle Condition=Ruins only |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period |Access=JR Yogo Sta., 4.5km to trailhead |Visitor Information=Mountain trails, limited signage, lightly marked trail |Time Required=30 mins |Yamaptrail=https://yamap.com/activities/40767096 |City=Nagahama |Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture |Notes=The...")
 
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|City=Nagahama
|City=Nagahama
|Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture
|Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture
|Notes=The ruins around here are a bit slight to see but looking at a map it's rather large compared to other forts in the Shibata defenses. From one of the lower baileys you can also follow a ridge to reach [[Kashiwadani Fort]] but there is no trail. Not even marked trees to guide you.
|Notes=The signboard at Besshoyama Fort includes a basic map, but it’s overly simplified—showing just a single bailey surrounded by trenches and embankments. In reality, the site is much more expansive and includes several features that require some exploration to fully appreciate. For example, there’s another small bailey to the north (“right” as you approach) that may have been an unfinished structure or a simple encampment.  
|History=Tochidaniyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's general along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Hara Nagayori.


At a point on the Ridgeline where it widens out, this was considered the most important central fort of the defensive line. From here branches go down to [[Nakataniyama Fort]] and [[Kashiwadani Fort]].
Well before reaching the main fort area, you’ll encounter a massive tatebori trench about 300 meters down the ridge. It’s not marked on the map, and while it functions as a defensive trench, it also serves as a shortcut trail down the south slope. This path passes near a largely undocumented site known as Yamaderayama Fort. This trench and fort may have been designed to protect a rapid deployment route to the southern slope. Just beyond this, you’ll also find a yokobori trench along the roadside—yes, there’s actually an abandoned logging road that runs nearly to the top of the mountain. These outer defenses are easy to miss and not well-documented, but they clearly formed an extended perimeter for Besshoyama.
 
As you continue toward the main bailey, you’ll notice slight embankments and ground shaping that create a switchback entrance to the main fortification. From here, the trail continues with a steep 40-minute climb to Gyōichiyama Fort at the mountain’s summit. Unfortunately, I had to turn back partway up the final stretch due to time constraints—and a lingering leg injury—but even without reaching the top, Besshoyama offered some of the most complex and layered fortifications along the entire ridge. It was clearly the highlight of the Mt. Gyoichi fortifications.
|History=Besshoyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's generals along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Maeda Toshiie.


See [[Battle of Shizugatake]] for more details.
See [[Battle of Shizugatake]] for more details.
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|AddedJcastle=2025
|AddedJcastle=2025
|Visits=April 27, 2025
|Visits=April 27, 2025
|GPSLocation=35.56887, 136.1863
|GPSLocation=35.56369, 136.18172
|Contributor=Eric
|Contributor=Eric
|FriendsLinks={{FriendsLinks
|FriendsLinks={{FriendsLinks
|FriendWebsiteName=Jokaku Horoki
|FriendWebsiteName=Jokaku Horoki
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://www.hb.pei.jp/shiro/oumi/hayashitaniyama-toride/
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://www.hb.pei.jp/shiro/oumi/besshoyama-toride/
}}
}}
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 07:08, 21 June 2025

The signboard at Besshoyama Fort includes a basic map, but it’s overly simplified—showing just a single bailey surrounded by trenches and embankments. In reality, the site is much more expansive and includes several features that require some exploration to fully appreciate. For example, there’s ano

Besshoyama13.jpg

History

Besshoyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's generals along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Maeda Toshiie.

See Battle of Shizugatake for more details.


Field Notes

The signboard at Besshoyama Fort includes a basic map, but it’s overly simplified—showing just a single bailey surrounded by trenches and embankments. In reality, the site is much more expansive and includes several features that require some exploration to fully appreciate. For example, there’s another small bailey to the north (“right” as you approach) that may have been an unfinished structure or a simple encampment.

Well before reaching the main fort area, you’ll encounter a massive tatebori trench about 300 meters down the ridge. It’s not marked on the map, and while it functions as a defensive trench, it also serves as a shortcut trail down the south slope. This path passes near a largely undocumented site known as Yamaderayama Fort. This trench and fort may have been designed to protect a rapid deployment route to the southern slope. Just beyond this, you’ll also find a yokobori trench along the roadside—yes, there’s actually an abandoned logging road that runs nearly to the top of the mountain. These outer defenses are easy to miss and not well-documented, but they clearly formed an extended perimeter for Besshoyama.

As you continue toward the main bailey, you’ll notice slight embankments and ground shaping that create a switchback entrance to the main fortification. From here, the trail continues with a steep 40-minute climb to Gyōichiyama Fort at the mountain’s summit. Unfortunately, I had to turn back partway up the final stretch due to time constraints—and a lingering leg injury—but even without reaching the top, Besshoyama offered some of the most complex and layered fortifications along the entire ridge. It was clearly the highlight of the Mt. Gyoichi fortifications.


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Gallery
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Castle Profile
English Name Besshoyama Fort
Japanese Name 別所山砦
Founder Shibata Katsuie
Year Founded 1583
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access JR Yogo Sta., 4.5km to trailhead
Hours Mountain trails, limited signage, lightly marked trail
Time Required 30 mins
Hiking Trail View on Yamap
Location Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates 35.56369, 136.18172
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2025
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2025
Admin Visits April 27, 2025
Friends of JCastle
Jokaku Horoki


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