Kasugayama Castle

There aren't many structures or stone walls to impress you but the castle grounds are well kept and very vast. In addition to the main part of the castle ruins, there are two museums nearby, Rinsenji Temple, and the Eastern Fortress area. If you have the time, I highly recommend you begin your explo

History

The Kasugayama Castle we see today was constructed by Nagao Tamekage and his son Uesugi Kenshin. There was an older castle on this site that dates to the 14th century, but little is known about it. Kenshin's successor, Kagekatsu became lord of the castle after Kenshin's death in 1578. 20 years later, Kagekatsu moved to Aizu and Hori Hideharu became lord of Kasugayama Castle. Hori built a new castle, called Fukushima Castle (Echigo), on a more flatland location closer to the harbor and in 1607 Kasugayama Castle was abandoned.

Kasugayama Castle was one of the largest and strongest fortresses built in the Sengoku Period. The castle had no stone walls but there were many enclosures and dry moats built around the mountain. Kasugayama Castle was also protected by a network of forts and other castles in the area. Kasugayama Castle was never attacked so we'll never know how well it may have withstood an invasion.

Field Notes

There aren't many structures or stone walls to impress you but the castle grounds are well kept and very vast. In addition to the main part of the castle ruins, there are two museums nearby, Rinsenji Temple, and the Eastern Fortress area. If you have the time, I highly recommend you begin your exploration of the castle from the Ote-do Road. It is a road the winds up the side of the mountain past several historical sites. It was the main road used to enter and exit the castle. Also be sure to visit the nearby Takada Castle for a most fulfilling day of castle exploring.

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Gallery

Mt. Kasuga
Former Guard House Location
Ote-do Road
South Sannomaru Bailey Residences
Remains of Kakizaki Izunokami's residence
The remains of Uesugi Kagekatsu's residence
Well enclosure
Looking over the Ninomaru bailey
view from the former main keep
main keep enclosure
Honmaru
Honmaru
Location of the Suwado and Gomado temples.
Bishamondo Temple
Site of the Naoe Family home
Site of the Naoe Family home
Dry moats
Dry moats
Senkan Gate
Path along the Senkan Gate
A gate from the castle
Eastern Fortress
Moat of the Eastern Fortress
Eastern Fortress
Moat of the Eastern Fortress
Eastern Fortress and reconstructed building
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Kasugayama Castle
Japanese Name	春日山城
Alternate Names	Hachigamine-jo
Founder	Uesugi clan
Year Founded	1573-1592
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Top 100 Castles, Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Kasugayama Sta. (Shin'etsu Line); 45 min walk
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture
Coordinates	37.14657, 138.20552
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2011
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2011
Admin Visits	October 10, 2011

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