Hayashitaniyama Fort

At first glance, Hayashitaniyama Fort may appear deceptively simple, but when you look closely it is a fasicanting site. This is the first ridge encountered when ascending the mountain from the valley below. A single embankment runs roughly north to south for an impressive 480 meters, all along the

History

Hayashitaniyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's general along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Fuwa Naomitsu.

One of the signposts at the site attributes the fort to the Menjū brothers (毛受兄弟). According to local legend, when Shibata Katsuie realized his cause was lost, a loyal retainer named Menju Katsuteru persuaded him to escape to Kitanosho Castle and end things on his own terms. Disguising himself as Katsuie, Menju took up the battle standard (umajirushi) and climbed to Hayashitaniyama Fort, where he joined his brother and approximately 500 men. What followed was a prolonged and fierce gun battle. The defenders used matchlock volleys, reloading in shifts, holding position as their numbers slowly dwindled, buying time for Shibata's escape. Just before he was killed, Katsuteru revealed his identity. Hideyoshi was so moved by this act of selfless loyalty that he delivered the head of Katsuteru to the temple at the foot of the mountain and ordered the monks to conduct proper rites. With that, Hideyoshi continued his march northward.

See Battle of Shizugatake for more details.

Field Notes

At first glance, Hayashitaniyama Fort may appear deceptively simple, but when you look closely it is a fasicanting site. This is the first ridge encountered when ascending the mountain from the valley below. A single embankment runs roughly north to south for an impressive 480 meters, all along the Hokkoku Kaidō and the valley below. It was designed as a frontline bulwark protecting the entire Shibata defensive line leading up to Gyoichiyama Fort. About midway along this 480m ridgeline sits a square-shaped bailey, which may have served as a lookout post or command station.

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Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Hayashitaniyama Fort
Japanese Name	林谷山砦
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	35.56815, 136.19018
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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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