Kinzan Castle

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Revision as of 18:37, 17 May 2025 by Eric (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{Castle |English Name=Kinzan Castle |Japanese Name=金山城 |Romaji Name=Kinzan-jo |Founder=Akechi Mitsuhide |Year Founded=1578 |Castle Type=Mountaintop |Castle Condition=Ruins only |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period |Features=trenches, stone walls |Access=Sasayamaguchi Station or Kaibara Station, bus |Visitor Information=Mountain trails, open any time |Time Required=150 mins |City=Tanba Sasayama |Prefecture=Hyogo Prefecture |History=Kinzan Castle (金山城), located o...")
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History

Kinzan Castle (金山城), located on the border between the Sasayama and Tamba regions of northern Hyōgo, served as a vital strategic point during Akechi Mitsuhide’s campaign to conquer Tanba Province in the late 1570s. While often overshadowed by larger sites like Yakami Castle and Kuroi Castle, Kinzan was instrumental in splitting the resistance between the Hatano clan in eastern Tanba and the Akai clan in western Tanba, thereby enabling Nobunaga’s forces to isolate and neutralize their opponents one by one.

The castle occupies a mountainous ridge that overlooks a major route connecting the eastern (Sasayama basin) and western (Kuroi–Kaibara) regions of Tanba. By fortifying this position, Mitsuhide effectively severed the ability of the two clans to reinforce one another. This was a classic example of his campaign strategy: constructing temporary fortresses and encampments to control key routes, support sieges, and project force across the rugged, fragmented terrain of Tanba.

Kinzan Castle is believed to have been either constructed or heavily renovated by Mitsuhide’s forces during the 1578–1579 phase of the campaign, when Nobunaga ordered the total subjugation of Tanba. It likely served both as a staging ground and a forward base for surveillance and movement control.

After the fall of both the Hatano and Akai strongholds — Yakami Castle and Kuroi Castle respectively — Kinzan lost its military value and fell into obscurity. Like many jinjō, it was probably abandoned not long after the campaign ended.

Today, remnants of stonework, earthworks, and bailey formations remain on the mountain, though overgrowth and limited access make exploration somewhat difficult. The site offers sweeping views over the valleys to both east and west, making its tactical importance immediately apparent to those who reach the summit.



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Castle Profile
English Name Kinzan Castle
Japanese Name 金山城
Founder Akechi Mitsuhide
Year Founded 1578
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access Sasayamaguchi Station or Kaibara Station, bus
Hours Mountain trails, open any time
Time Required 150 mins
Location Tanba Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture
Coordinates 35.11228, 135.11385
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2025
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2024
Admin Visits November 8, 2024


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