Minamiohshio Castle (Suwa)
Minamiôshiojō is a fortification site in the Toyohira Township (it's a collection of villages) of Chino Municipality, but no ruins remain and the site is now fields. There is no corresponding 'North Great Salt Castle', so 'South Great Salt Castle' must be named for the village beneath the castle mou
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History
Minamiôshiojō was built on a river terrace type plateau with a long and narrow profile. It must've been a rather lanky fort with an odd structure. Although certain neighbourhood names remain like 'Castle Slope', it is not known who built the fort or why.
Field Notes
Minamiôshiojō is a fortification site in the Toyohira Township (it's a collection of villages) of Chino Municipality, but no ruins remain and the site is now fields. There is no corresponding 'North Great Salt Castle', so 'South Great Salt Castle' must be named for the village beneath the castle mount.
Takeshita Hanbē, who is not a samurai but a Google maps based reviewer prolific throughout the Kōshin area, said that when he visited, the Italian restaurant at the foot of the terrace / castle mount was called 'Castle' something, but now it's called 'Flower Storehouse'. Considering this is such a minor site, that was probably just a coincidence. One sometimes sees things named for castles that just happen to be near obscure sites, but I highly doubt that any of the developers or business-owners are secret castle fanatics. I suppose it's slightly more likely in the case of a family-owned business though.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Minamiohshio Castle (Suwa) |
| Japanese Name | 諏訪南大塩城 |
| Founder | Unknown |
| Year Founded | Unknown |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Exit via the Chūō-Hara PA along Route E20 if possible, or via Suwa IC or Minami-Suwa IC if driving; nearest station is Chino Station on the Chūō Main Line |
| Hours | 24/7 free; fields |
| Time Required | 10 minutes |
| Location | Chino, Nagano Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 36.02006, 138.20739 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2023 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Yogo | |
