Arai Castle

The only ruin remaining at Arai Castle is a pokey bit of earthen embankment which now has a hokora (祠) on top. Araijō is also known as Shimizugajō (清水ヶ城) and there is a monument next to the shrine to a jūdōka called Shimizu, so I don't know if there's some connection there. A grand old house next to

History

It is thought, though not known for sure, that Arai Castle was built sometime during the Nanboku Period or Muromachi Period when the Ogasawara Clan were governors of Shinano. A branch of the Ogasawara called the Shimadate (or Shimadachi) ruled Araijō. The Shimadate were moved to Fukashijō (which would later become Matsumotojō) by the Ogasawara in 1523 but Shimadate Sadatomo stayed on as castellan at Araijō. Araijō was conquered and destroyed by Takeda Shingen in 1550.

Field Notes

The only ruin remaining at Arai Castle is a pokey bit of earthen embankment which now has a hokora (祠) on top. Araijō is also known as Shimizugajō (清水ヶ城) and there is a monument next to the shrine to a jūdōka called Shimizu, so I don't know if there's some connection there. A grand old house next to the castle ruin is also tenanted by the / a Shimizu family.

Gallery

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Castle Profile
English Name	Arai Castle
Japanese Name	荒井城
Alternate Names	清水ヶ城
Founder	Ogasawara Clan
Year Founded	Chuusei
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Shinano-Arai Station on the Kamikouchi Line; 2 minute walk
Hours	24/7 free; private property
Time Required	10 minutes
Location	Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.231, 137.95034
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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