Echizen Katsuyama Castle

Photos and history donated by Furinkazan. This is a very big castle with strange looking stone walls(dragons are on every side of the castle.) It has 6 floors. You begin the tour in the castle on the last which is an observation deck. Since it is a plaincastle, you have a splendid view in every dire

History

Echizen Katsuyama Castle (Echizen Katsuyama-jo) was built in 1579 by the daimyo Shibata Katsuyasu. It changed hands frequently due to war. As Japan entered the era when the entire country was ruled by the Tokugawa family, the daimyo Ogasawara Nobutoki raised the castle on the pretext of restoring an old castle. Due to fires, it was never completed. The existing five-tiered, six-storied castle tower was built in a different place in 1992. For the stone wall, 6,500 large rocks were used. The castle houses a museum which exhibits tools used by the military commanders who governed every region of the country until the middle of the 18th century, and samurai arms such as swords and guns.(found at: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/facilities/castles/83dn3a000000ecj2.html)

Field Notes

Photos and history donated by Furinkazan. This is a very big castle with strange looking stone walls(dragons are on every side of the castle.) It has 6 floors. You begin the tour in the castle on the last which is an observation deck. Since it is a plaincastle, you have a splendid view in every direction. On the fifth are some paintings about the history of Katsuyama-city(only in Japanese)and other observation posts. On the fourth is an exibition of local artists(the castle is used as an exhibition hall).

The 3rd floor is the most interesting for the samurai-fans. It has some really nice armors and weapons, aswell as other artifacts on display. On the second are paintings(modern art), which i appreciated. On the first floor is the entrance and some information about the rebuilding of this castle. From the observation decks, you can easily see the Echizen Daibutsudô(great Buddha of Echizenhall). After the castle i went there and from the pagoda you can take a nice picture with the Daibutsudô in the foreground and the castle behind. To get at Katsuyama i took a train at Fukui on the EchizenRailway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line(next to JR Fukui station). The terminus is Katsuyama. From the station in Kastuyama you can see the castle. It is about 4km to it. Since the weather was beautiful i walked to it.

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Gallery

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  Katsuyama Castle main keep (mogi tenshu)
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  main keep
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  main keep
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  main keep
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  main keep
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  gate
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  gate
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  map
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  original site of castle's main bailey is now townhall
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  Long retaining wall in castle town
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  Ishigaki & Shrine on castle terrace
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  The temple also built by Tada-san
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Castle Profile
English Name	Echizen Katsuyama Castle
Japanese Name	越前勝山城
Founder	Shibata Katsuyasu
Year Founded	1579
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Historical Period	Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	5 tiers, 6 storeys
Year Reconstructed	1989-92 (concrete)
Features	main keep, gates, turrets, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Katsuyama Sta. (Eiheiji Line, Echizen Railway)
Hours	500 yen, Closed Wednesdays, Dec. 28-31
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture
Coordinates	36.06083, 136.50052
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2010
Contributor	Furinkazan
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Admin Visits	Viewer Donated
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