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 12: / Line 12: @@
 |City=Osaka
 |Prefecture=Osaka
+|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.
+|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.
 |Year Visited=2025
 |AddedJcastle=2025