Karakai Castle

This is an easy and accessible day trip from Tokyo, but there are a few a few baileys and a couple horikiri trenches to see. Much of the central (honmaru) bailey was carved out as it was used as a stone quarry in the early 1900s. Past the Honmaru Bailey you'll run into the XX bailey which is the pea

Field Notes

This is an easy and accessible day trip from Tokyo, but there are a few a few baileys and a couple horikiri trenches to see. Much of the central (honmaru) bailey was carved out as it was used as a stone quarry in the early 1900s. Past the Honmaru Bailey you'll run into the XX bailey which is the peak of Mt. Karakai. Follow the trail down the back side of this as it continues on to Mt. Raiden to see an impressive horikiri trench marking off the end of the castle. The trails are well maintained and connect to trails for many of the surrounding mountains which could be combined to make for a good hiking trip. I combined Karakai Castle with a detour to neighboring Masugatayama Castle on the way down. If you have some energy and time remaining I highly recommend a visit to the nearby Katsunuma Castle on the way back to Tokyo.

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Gallery

Entrance to the castle proper. Don't miss it !
Trailhead. Just a short walk from the train station.
Along the trail
Another small sign indicating the castle trail.
Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench and small bailey
First large bailey
Trail to the next bailey
Bailey
Small side bailey off the previous one
Entrance to the main bailey
Main bailey. The middle was all carved out when this was used as a stone quarry.
Main Bailey and highest point of Mt. Karakai.
Main bailey
Main bailey
Main bailey
Main bailey
Small bailey off the main bailey
Horikiri trench
Large horikiri trench marking the end of the castle.
Large horikiri trench as seen from above
View from the horikiri

Castle Profile
English Name	Karakai Castle
Japanese Name	辛垣城
Founder	Mita Tsunahide
Year Founded	1558-1570
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Futamato Sta (Oume Line), 10 min walk to the trailhead
Hours	mountains, open year round
Time Required
Location	Tokyo, Tokyo
Coordinates	35.8119, 139.22042
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2017
Admin Year Visited	2017

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