Odani Castle

They have really cleaned up this site in recent years (mainly for the NHK Taiga Drama: 'Go-himetachi no Sengoku') making it a very enjoyable castle ruin to visit. The trails are well marked, some trees and brush have been cut back, castle ruins and baileys are very well signposted and the museum is

History

Azai Sukemasa built Odani Castle from 1521-1528. The third generation castle lord, Azai Nagamasa married O'Ichi-no-kata, Nobunaga's younger sister in 1567 to expand his power and influence. Despite that, he turned on Nobunaga in his campaign against the Asakura in 1570. Nobunaga defeated the Asakura and Azai at the Battle of Anegawa in 1570, but was not able to take Odani Castle until 1573.

O'Ichi gave birth to three daughters, O'Chacha (Toyotomi Hideyoshi's sokushitsu), O'Hatsu (married Kyogoku Takatsugu), and O'Go (married Tokugawa Hidetada).

Odani Castle is counted among Japan's Five Greatest Mountain Castles, along with Kasugayama Castle, Nanao Castle, Kannonji Castle and Gassan Toda Castle.

Field Notes

They have really cleaned up this site in recent years (mainly for the NHK Taiga Drama: 'Go-himetachi no Sengoku') making it a very enjoyable castle ruin to visit. The trails are well marked, some trees and brush have been cut back, castle ruins and baileys are very well signposted and the museum is small but informative. Visiting in good weather in the autumn would offer great fall colors but the spring before the weeds start growing will also allow you to see the castle structures more clearly than at any other time.

For the first time visit, I recommend you take the route I did going up the Otemichi through the main structures and then down through the valley. You should plan about 4 hours for this trip but it could be done shorter if you don't take your time. I spent about 5 hours including a lunch break.

At the station is a gift shop where they sell a fantastic booklet (350 yen) including all the artist's renderings and descriptions from the signs at the castle and a great map. They also offer a shuttle bus service to the castle for about 250 yen per person. Ask at the counter if it is available the day you visit.

If you have time you could also visit the ruins on Mt. Toragozen on your way back from the station or you could easily go on to Nagahama Castle in the same day if you've gotten an early start.

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Gallery

Mock gate
Demaru Bailey
Sign for the Demaru Bailey
Demaru Bailey
view along the trail
artist's rendering
Ochaya bailey
Oumaya Bailey
Oumaya Bailey
Umaarai Ike
Sakura no Banba bailey
Sakura no Banba bailey, west level
Looking to Oumaya and Mt. Toragozen
Ruins of the Kurogane Gate
Akao Yashiki
Honmaru stone wall
Honmaru
Ohiroma
Honmaru
Large horikiri moat
Gate to the Nakanomaru bailey
Gate inside the Nakanomaru bailey
gate to the Kyogokumaru Bailey
Kyogokumaru Bailey and earthen embankment
Sannoumaru Bailey
Stone walls
Rokubo Bailey stone wall ruins
Gesshomaru Bailey
Horikiri
North side of the castle
valley of residences
Stone walls of the Ohnogi residence
Stone walls of the Ohnogi residence
Mitamura Residence.
Stone walls of the Azai residence.
vertical dry moat
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Odani Castle
Japanese Name	小谷城
Founder	Azai Sugemasa
Year Founded	1524
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Top 100 Castles, Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Kawake Sta. (JR Hokuriku main trunk line); 30 mins walk from the station to the museum and trail head
Hours	the castle is free, but the museum is 300 yen; closed Tuesdays except on national holidays in which case they close on Wednesday. Also closed 12/28-1/4.
Time Required	4 hours
URL	Castle Website
Location	Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.45932, 136.27707
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2010
Admin Year Visited	2012
Admin Visits	March 20, 2012

2.50

(8 votes)

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