Ohhara Castle

Ohhara Castle is a yakatajiro protected by earthen ramparts on four sides with two koguchi (gates) on its northern and southern sides. In modern times, a third entrance has been opened up on the eastern side for vehicular entry. The earthen ramparts were ringed by a water moat on th

History

This small flatland castle was the residence of the Ohhara Clan, one of the major clans in the Koka Region. It is not an ideal location for defense because it has no natural defenses besides the earthen ramparts and is actually a slightly lower elevation than the surroundings. The key advantage of this site is actually to control trade and transportation due to it's proximity to two rivers and the road to Iga. The Ohara lands were confiscated by Hideyoshi in 1585 in his actions to break up the Koka allied families. See Koka Castles for more details.

Field Notes

Ohhara Castle is a yakatajiro protected by earthen ramparts on four sides with two koguchi (gates) on its northern and southern sides. In modern times, a third entrance has been opened up on the eastern side for vehicular entry. The earthen ramparts were ringed by a water moat on three sides (east, west, and north). It is now just a shallow dry moat. Looking at old maps and the layout of houses and roads today, it is surmised that the area around the castle may have also had a similar design to that of Ue Castle or Kuraji Castle.

The earthen ramparts and moat which ring the main bailey are mostly intact. However, unlike other bigger and more popular castle sites in Shiga, this castle ruin is not signposted, and the main bailey is someone’s private residence. It is not open to the public.

Gallery

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  Eastern Side
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  Former Water Moat and Earthen Rampart Eastern Side
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  Earthen Ramparts Eastern Side
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  Earthen Ramparts Southern Side
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  Earthen Ramparts Southern Side
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  2nd Bailey Foreground with Main Bailey Background and Earthen Rampart Southern Side
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  Yakuimon and Earthen Ramparts Southern Side
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  Former water moats

Castle Profile
English Name	Ohhara Castle
Japanese Name	大原城
Alternate Names	Ohara Kazuma Yashiki
Founder	Ohhara Clan
Year Founded	Muromachi Period (1338 to 1573)
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Koka Sta. (JR Kusatsu Line), 10 min walk
Hours	private residence
Time Required	20 minutes
Location	Koka, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	34.89678, 136.21618
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Collections	Koka Castles
Admin
Added to Jcastle	2013
Contributor	RaymondW
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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