Kami Akasaka Castle: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:47, 15 September 2025

The route to Kami Akasaka Castle is controlled by a series of four kido checkpoints along the long gradually rising ridge. Just before the fourth Kido is a narrow dobashi earthen bridge and double trench. Past the Fourth Kido, the path bends sharply — almost 90 degrees — before reaching the eastern

History

Kami Akasaka Castle was built in 1331 by Kusunoki Masashige on Mt. Kongo’s eastern ridges, at the beginning of the Genko War. Even though Chihaya Castle is more famous, Kami Akasaka was Kusunoki's main base from which he rallied forces from across the region. The castle was positioned to control access through the valleys into central Kawachi, with steep ridges, dry moats, and terraced baileys forming a strong defensive line. When the site became untenable, he retreated deeper into the mountains to Chihaya Castle.

Field Notes

The route to Kami Akasaka Castle is controlled by a series of four kido checkpoints along the long gradually rising ridge. Just before the fourth Kido is a narrow dobashi earthen bridge and double trench. Past the Fourth Kido, the path bends sharply — almost 90 degrees — before reaching the eastern baileys and main part of the castle. The castle itself has few visible remains beyond earthworks, but walking the ridgeline really gives a sense of Kusunoki Masashige’s ingenuity with kido up the long slope and the commanding view of the valleys below.

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Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Kami Akasaka Castle
Japanese Name	上赤坂城
Founder	Kusunoki Masashige
Year Founded	1332
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	None
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Bus from Kawachinagano Station or Tondabayashi Station
Hours
Time Required
Location	Osaka, Osaka
Coordinates	34.44825, 135.63068
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2025
Admin Visits	Feb 14, 2025

2.00

(one vote)

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |English Name=Kami Akasaka Castle
 |Japanese Name=上赤坂城
-|Romaji Name=Chihaya-jo
 |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
 |Access=Bus from Kawachinagano Station or Tondabayashi Station
-|Visitor Information=Always open/free
-|Time Required=1.5 hours
-|Website=http://www.chihayaakasaka.org/e-index.html
 |City=Osaka
 |Prefecture=Osaka
-|Notes=There are no structures or walls remaining from the castle. Chihaya Shrine was built on the former castle grounds.
+|Notes=The route to Kami Akasaka Castle is controlled by a series of four kido checkpoints along the long gradually rising ridge. Just before the fourth Kido is a narrow dobashi earthen bridge and double trench. Past the Fourth Kido, the path bends sharply — almost 90 degrees — before reaching the eastern baileys and main part of the castle.
+The castle itself has few visible remains beyond earthworks, but walking the ridgeline really gives a sense of Kusunoki Masashige’s ingenuity with kido up the long slope and the commanding view of the valleys below.
-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.
+|History=Kami Akasaka Castle was built in 1331 by Kusunoki Masashige on Mt. Kongo’s eastern ridges, at the beginning of the Genko War.
+Even though Chihaya Castle is more famous, Kami Akasaka was Kusunoki's main base from which he rallied forces from across the region. The castle was positioned to control access through the valleys into central Kawachi, with steep ridges, dry moats, and terraced baileys forming a strong defensive line. When the site became untenable, he retreated deeper into the mountains to Chihaya Castle.
-The Castle Stamp is located inside Matsumasa Restaurant. They also have a paper with information about the castle.</p>
+|Year Visited=2025
+|AddedJcastle=2025
-Profile and photos by Jcastle contributor Phibbyfan.
-|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. Chihaya Castle remained under the emperor's domain until the Ashikaga overtook it in 1390. The castle was then abandoned.
-|Year Visited=Viewer Contributed, 2025
-|AddedJcastle=2014
 |Visits=Feb 14, 2025
-|GPSLocation=34.4162, 135.65294
+|GPSLocation=34.44825, 135.63068
+|Contributor=Eric
 }}