Shobudani Fort: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "{{Castle |English Name=Shobudani Fort |Japanese Name=菖蒲谷砦 |Romaji Name=Shōbudani Toride |Founder=Hashiba Hideyoshi |Year Founded=1583 |Castle Type=Mountaintop |Castle Condition=Ruins only |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period |Features=trenches, baileys, earthworks |Access=From JR Yogo Station, 3.5 km to the trailhead (same entrance as Tohnoyama Fort). Approximately 30–40 min hike uphill. |Visitor Information=Signposted but less maintained than Tohnoyama. Trail is...")
 
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|Castle Condition=Ruins only
|Castle Condition=Ruins only
|Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
|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
|Time Required=45–60 mins on site
|Time Required=45 mins on site
|Yamaptrail=https://yamap.com/activities/40828441
|City=Nagahama
|City=Nagahama
|Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture
|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 It retains some very nicely preserved trenches and embankments. Unfortunately, it is not shown on the map signboard, but the two ridges that extend from the lower edge of the fort down to the base of the mountain were also fortified. These include leveled areas and embankments running down the steep ridge, forming what are secondary positions. In fact, some earlier texts treat these as separate satellite forts as well. Taken together, the core castle and two extended curved fortified ridgelines give the full site the appearance of a giant crab claw when viewed on a full map. On my first trip I only saw the core castle part but on the second trip I descended via the southern side of the "crab claw". This side has a clear bailey towards the bottom with embankments that you can see in the photos below and I can maybe see how some might consider it another fort.


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 fence we saw in th ephotos from [[Tohnoyama Fort]]. From there, turn left and continue up the valley until you can see the ridgeline above, then pick a spot to start climbing. This is what I did on my first visit, and it takes you directly into the center of the fort. You could ascend from either of the ridges that make up "crab claw" but the bottoms start/end in underbrush and with no clear signs so it could be hard to know where to start.


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.
It is also possible to descend into Shobudani after visiting [[Tohnoyama Fort]]. This is what I did on my second visit. This trail is narrower and steeper, but it’s fairly clear and makes for an efficient route when combining the two forts in one visit.
|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.
|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]].
 
|Year Visited=2023, 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.
|AddedJcastle=2025
|Visits=April 20, 2025
|Visits=April 28, 2023; April 20, 2025
|GPSLocation=35.55168, 136.21014
|GPSLocation=35.55308, 136.20606
|Contributor=Eric
|Contributor=Eric
|FriendsLinks={{FriendsLinks
|FriendWebsiteName=Jokaku Horoki
|FriendWebsiteURL=https://www.hb.pei.jp/shiro/oumi/shobudani-toride/
}}
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 06:47, 13 July 2025

Shobudani Fort It retains some very nicely preserved trenches and embankments. Unfortunately, it is not shown on the map signboard, but the two ridges that extend from the lower edge of the fort down to the base of the mountain were also fortified. These include leveled areas and embankments running

Shobudani12.jpg

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 It retains some very nicely preserved trenches and embankments. Unfortunately, it is not shown on the map signboard, but the two ridges that extend from the lower edge of the fort down to the base of the mountain were also fortified. These include leveled areas and embankments running down the steep ridge, forming what are secondary positions. In fact, some earlier texts treat these as separate satellite forts as well. Taken together, the core castle and two extended curved fortified ridgelines give the full site the appearance of a giant crab claw when viewed on a full map. On my first trip I only saw the core castle part but on the second trip I descended via the southern side of the "crab claw". This side has a clear bailey towards the bottom with embankments that you can see in the photos below and I can maybe see how some might consider it another fort.

There are a few ways to reach the site. The main approach is via the old logging road past the fence we saw in th ephotos from Tohnoyama Fort. From there, turn left and continue up the valley until you can see the ridgeline above, then pick a spot to start climbing. This is what I did on my first visit, and it takes you directly into the center of the fort. You could ascend from either of the ridges that make up "crab claw" but the bottoms start/end in underbrush and with no clear signs so it could be hard to know where to start.

It is also possible to descend into Shobudani after visiting Tohnoyama Fort. This is what I did on my second visit. This trail is narrower and steeper, but it’s fairly clear and makes for an efficient route when combining the two forts in one visit.


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Leaflet


Gallery
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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
Time Required 45 mins on site
Hiking Trail View on Yamap
Location Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates 35.55308, 136.20606
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Leaflet
Admin
Added to Jcastle 2025
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2023, 2025
Admin Visits April 28, 2023; April 20, 2025
Friends of JCastle
Jokaku Horoki


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