Ganjaku Castle

The site of the castle is really a sad thing. There isn't any explanation in english and i think the tenshukaku is nothing like it was. There are only 2 armors and the rest of the building is used as a local paintings-museum. Next to the Tenshukaku is a healthcenter, built as a goten on the outside,

History

Taira no Kiyomori ordered a retainer, Oba Kagechika, to build Ganjaku Castle on the summit of Mt. Ganjaku. It was completed in 1158. After that, the castle changed hands frequently due to war. Once Hideyoshi conquered Kyushu, Ganjaku Castle came under the control of the lord of Kokura Castle. It was dismantled in 1615 under the One Castle per Domain law. The fact that it lasted so long attests to it's strategic value as a castle. The top of the mountain offers great views of the surrounding area, fresh water can be found in the castle, and the the rocky outcroppings and cliffs form natural barriers.

Field Notes

The site of the castle is really a sad thing. There isn't any explanation in english and i think the tenshukaku is nothing like it was. There are only 2 armors and the rest of the building is used as a local paintings-museum. Next to the Tenshukaku is a healthcenter, built as a goten on the outside, but very modern inside.

Photos and profile by Jcastle member Furinkazan

Though not pictured here, there are several horikiri, moats, earthen embankments, a well, and parts of stone walls scattered around the mountain. The main keep is a mock castle built by the city for about 7.5 million USD. For that cost I'd like to see them put some efforts into preserving the ruins of this important castle.(Jcastle) 

Gallery

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  mock keep
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  mock reconstructed keep
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  gate

Castle Profile
English Name	Ganjaku Castle
Japanese Name	岩石城
Founder	Taira no Kiyomori
Year Founded	1158
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	concrete
Year Reconstructed	1991
Features	main keep, trenches, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	JR Soeda Station; walk 15 mins
Hours	Admission Fee: Free Closed: Dec.29-31
Time Required	40 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Soeda, Fukuoka Prefecture
Coordinates	33.57136, 130.86415
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2013
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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(one vote)

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