Besshoyama Fort: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 07:08, 21 June 2025

The signboard at Besshoyama Fort includes a basic map, but it’s overly simplified—showing just a single bailey surrounded by trenches and embankments. In reality, the site is much more expansive and includes several features that require some exploration to fully appreciate. For example, there’s ano

History

Besshoyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's generals along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Maeda Toshiie.

See Battle of Shizugatake for more details.

Field Notes

The signboard at Besshoyama Fort includes a basic map, but it’s overly simplified—showing just a single bailey surrounded by trenches and embankments. In reality, the site is much more expansive and includes several features that require some exploration to fully appreciate. For example, there’s another small bailey to the north (“right” as you approach) that may have been an unfinished structure or a simple encampment.

Well before reaching the main fort area, you’ll encounter a massive tatebori trench about 300 meters down the ridge. It’s not marked on the map, and while it functions as a defensive trench, it also serves as a shortcut trail down the south slope. This path passes near a largely undocumented site known as Yamaderayama Fort. This trench and fort may have been designed to protect a rapid deployment route to the southern slope. Just beyond this, you’ll also find a yokobori trench along the roadside—yes, there’s actually an abandoned logging road that runs nearly to the top of the mountain. These outer defenses are easy to miss and not well-documented, but they clearly formed an extended perimeter for Besshoyama.

As you continue toward the main bailey, you’ll notice slight embankments and ground shaping that create a switchback entrance to the main fortification. From here, the trail continues with a steep 40-minute climb to Gyōichiyama Fort at the mountain’s summit. Unfortunately, I had to turn back partway up the final stretch due to time constraints—and a lingering leg injury—but even without reaching the top, Besshoyama offered some of the most complex and layered fortifications along the entire ridge. It was clearly the highlight of the Mt. Gyoichi fortifications.

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Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Besshoyama Fort
Japanese Name	別所山砦
Founder	Shibata Katsuie
Year Founded	1583
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access	JR Yogo Sta., 4.5km to trailhead
Hours	Mountain trails, limited signage, lightly marked trail
Time Required	30 mins
Hiking Trail	View on Yamap
Location	Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.56369, 136.18172
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2025
Admin Visits	April 27, 2025
Friends of JCastle
Jokaku Horoki

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(one vote)

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@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 |City=Nagahama
 |Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture
-|Notes=The signboard with a map at Besshoyama Fort is unfortunately a little simplified. It just shows a single bailey with surrounded by trenches and embankments. Actually it is much bigger than what is shown with some interesting features you'll have to explore with your own feet.  There is another simple bailey the "right" (north of this one which could be unfinished or a simple encampment. Before even reaching the main part of the castle you'll come across a single giant tatebori trench which is not on the map either and about 300m before the castle proper anyway. You would be forgiven if you thought it was an entirely separate fort.  Just beyond this there is another yokobori trench along the roadside (yes there is actually a road nearly to the top of the mountain) that was part of the fortification too. Again you would be forgiven if you passed this over as maybe a washout or drainage area but is in fact part of the forts. It is nearly flat here and unlikely to be from drainage. These two features are not covered on most maps. As you finally approach the main part of the castle you will also see some slight embankments and that the ground has been shaped for a switch back path into the castle proper itself.  From Besshoyama it is another 40 mins steep climb up to Gyoichi Fort at the top of the mountain.
+|Notes=The signboard at Besshoyama Fort includes a basic map, but it’s overly simplified—showing just a single bailey surrounded by trenches and embankments. In reality, the site is much more expansive and includes several features that require some exploration to fully appreciate. For example, there’s another small bailey to the north (“right” as you approach) that may have been an unfinished structure or a simple encampment.
-Along the trail to Besshoyama Fort you will come across a huge tatebori (vertical trench)
+Well before reaching the main fort area, you’ll encounter a massive tatebori trench about 300 meters down the ridge. It’s not marked on the map, and while it functions as a defensive trench, it also serves as a shortcut trail down the south slope. This path passes near a largely undocumented site known as Yamaderayama Fort. This trench and fort may have been designed to protect a rapid deployment route to the southern slope. Just beyond this, you’ll also find a yokobori trench along the roadside—yes, there’s actually an abandoned logging road that runs nearly to the top of the mountain. These outer defenses are easy to miss and not well-documented, but they clearly formed an extended perimeter for Besshoyama.
+As you continue toward the main bailey, you’ll notice slight embankments and ground shaping that create a switchback entrance to the main fortification. From here, the trail continues with a steep 40-minute climb to Gyōichiyama Fort at the mountain’s summit. Unfortunately, I had to turn back partway up the final stretch due to time constraints—and a lingering leg injury—but even without reaching the top, Besshoyama offered some of the most complex and layered fortifications along the entire ridge. It was clearly the highlight of the Mt. Gyoichi fortifications.
 |History=Besshoyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's generals along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Maeda Toshiie.