Imaichikami Fort
The ruins of the embankments are slight and a bit difficult to identify especially the first square Bailey which is easy to miss. The highlight of this castle is surely the large horikiri. Once you've reached the top here, it is actually a fairly easy walk around the ridge line to [[Higashinoyama
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History
Imaichikami Fort was founded just across the valley from Tenjinyama Fort as part of Hideyoshi's original forward defensive line. it is a much higher elevation and provides clearer views up the valley towards Genbao Castle than Tenjinyama Fort. It is not clear if this was abandoned when Hideyoshi pulled back from Tenjinyama Fort or if it was still maintained as a satellite of Higashinoyama Fort. It was not clearly threatened by other Shibata fortifications, had easy access to Higashinoyama Fort and could have continued to provide intelligence from up the valley. I would like to think that it was in continued use as a satellite of Higashinoyama Fort rather than potentially being used against it.
Refer to the Battle of Shizugatkae for more details.
Field Notes
The ruins of the embankments are slight and a bit difficult to identify especially the first square Bailey which is easy to miss. The highlight of this castle is surely the large horikiri. Once you've reached the top here, it is actually a fairly easy walk around the ridge line to Higashinoyama Fort, one o the true highlights of all the castles and forts of the Battle of Shizugatake.
Just to the side of the Hachiman Shrine is a slightly elevated and flattened area with a grave for the Higashino Clan, local landholders. Some say this was the site of their fortified home, others say it was the nearby Jurakuji Temple. This flattened area also marks where to start climbing for Imaichikami Castle. Go straight up the ridge from here. There is a kind of worn path or trail looking thing you can follow partyway up. Along the way there is an area with what looks like a dorui embankment on the left side with good views up the valley. It is also somewhat more spacious around this part. I really think this must have been fortified or used as a lookout. At some point shortly after this area you will need cut up the ridge to your right. It would probably be best to follow my Yamap trail or find something similar because there is no clear cut trail around here.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Imaichi Fort |
| Japanese Name | 今市上砦 |
| Founder | Toyotomi Hideyoshi |
| Year Founded | 1583 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | JR Yogo Station, 3.5km walk to Hachiman Shrine |
| Hours | Mountain trails, not signposted |
| Time Required | 20 mins |
| Location | Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35.56176, 136.20525 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | Eric |
| Admin Year Visited | 2025 |
| Admin Visits | April 20, 2025 |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jokaku Horoki | |
