Ahoyama Castle

Mikoshiyama Castle / Ahoyama Castle (Shiga Pref.). 神輿山城・青山城（滋賀県） Also known as Shiratoriyama Castle and Chuubeiyama Castle respectively, this is a pair of dejiro or satellite castles on either side of Tsubokasayama Castle. They protected the passses into Tsubokasayama Castle and the set of three pro

Field Notes

Mikoshiyama Castle / Ahoyama Castle (Shiga Pref.). 神輿山城・青山城（滋賀県） Also known as Shiratoriyama Castle and Chuubeiyama Castle respectively, this is a pair of dejiro or satellite castles on either side of Tsubokasayama Castle. They protected the passses into Tsubokasayama Castle and the set of three probably made for a formidable looking presence from the lakeshore. Following along the ridge from Tsuboakasayma Castle you can easily reach Mikoshiyama Castle. It has one central bailey at the mountaintop and some smaller sub baileys or flattened areas along the ridge leading towards Tsubokasayama Castle. It also has two small bits of stonework remnants (I think I missed one). Ahoyama Castle is on the opposite side of Tsubokasayama Castle from Mikoshiyama and is what you would reach first if you were taking the main trail up from the town. There is a large cleft in the mountainside that splits Ahoyama Castle from Tsubokasayama Castle. I have read other accounts that say there are no discernible ruins at Ahoyama Castle, but from my perspective I really think some of the largish stones strewn about may be from some stonework remains and are similar in size and shape to those found at Tsubokasayama and Mikoshiyama. There also seems ot be a couple small baileys on either side and possibly an obikuruwa too. I have seen one photo of an illustration of this castle from a seminar in Otsu (?) so I think I need to make a trip to the Otsu City musuem to see if they have any more materials on both these sites. While there is a trail from Tsubokasayama to Mikoshiyama, there is no trail up to Ahoyama. Some don't recommend trying it but I managed. Just find a place to scramble up the side and once you hit the ridge it's not so bad.

I had a feeling you would be the one to ask that question! The old records say「あほ山」without kanji. It seems at some point in time it became 青山 but I really did not dig into the history of the name.

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Castle Profile
English Name	Ahoyama Castle
Japanese Name	青山城
Founder
Year Founded
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
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Hours
Time Required
Location	, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.05765, 135.85202
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Added to Jcastle
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2024
Admin Visits	February 4, 2024
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Jokaku Horoki

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