Hiyama Castle

It's about 7km from the station and no busses. I had my Brompton with me so I could bike there. There is a road up from the base of the mountain (first picture below) to the Sannomaru area but it is quite steep. I'm surprised cars could get up it. The castle covers 2 ridges in a horseshoe like forma

History

The Ando, were a powerful family that had significant influence over much of the coastal areas from Akita to Hokkaido, were mariners and even traded with China and Korea. Ando Chikasue changed his name to Akita and built Wakimoto Castle on the Oga Peninsula too, but Hiyama Castle was still used as an important fortification for the clan. Hiyama Castle was critical in holding out for over 6 months to put down a rebellion after the death of Chikasue. After the Battle of Skigahara the Akita clan was moved to Hitachi and then Miharu. The Satake who replaced them continued to use Hiyama Castle until it was abandoned under the one castle per domain edict in 1620.

Field Notes

It's about 7km from the station and no busses. I had my Brompton with me so I could bike there. There is a road up from the base of the mountain (first picture below) to the Sannomaru area but it is quite steep. I'm surprised cars could get up it. The castle covers 2 ridges in a horseshoe like formation. You could go up one ridge and down the other but I had to turn back to get back at the Nakadate to get to my bike which I left at the Sannomaru parking area. The are has some signs and well worn trails so it is not hard to get around. There are also signs to beware of bears but the only wildlife I saw was a Kamoshika who protested my invasion of his home at tha Nakadate. Near the castle are also several satellite fortifications

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Gallery

Nakadate
Relocated gate at Jomyoji

Castle Profile
English Name	Hiyama Castle
Japanese Name	檜山城跡
Alternate Names	Kiriyama-jo, Horiuchi-jo, Horinouchi-jo
Founder	Ando Tadataka
Year Founded	1495
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Higashi Noshiro Station (Gono Line); 90 mins walk
Hours	Mountain, open 24/7
Time Required	120 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Noshiro, Akita Prefecture
Coordinates	40.16301, 140.12194
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2021
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2020
Admin Visits	November 12, 2020
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