Hannyaji Castle

This site is completely overgrown and difficult to explore. There should be three baileys with trenches and a clear view of Yakami Castle. I’ve seen old photos of the site from when it was much better maintained. There used to be a sign and wooden steps along a clearly marked trail. I actually f

History

When Akechi Mitsuhide launched his second campaign into the Tanba-Sasayama valley in 1578, he established his main encampment atop this mountain behind Hannyaji Temple. The site offered a commanding view of Yakami Castle, making it an ideal location for directing the siege. The nearby river formed a natural barrier and its proximity to supply lines through Sonobe and Kameoka provided logistical support for a prolonged siege.

Field Notes

This site is completely overgrown and difficult to explore. There should be three baileys with trenches and a clear view of Yakami Castle. I’ve seen old photos of the site from when it was much better maintained. There used to be a sign and wooden steps along a clearly marked trail. I actually found the ruins of those steps, rather, I tripped over the old wooden beams while climbing through the weeds.

Access is unclear. A newer sign in front of the temple at the base of the mountain includes a note on the left that says “no admittance without reservation,” but another blogger reported that this applies to the temple, not the castle ruins. Still, there’s no official trail to the top. To reach the site, you either have to go through the temple grounds or enter via a roped-off, abandoned preschool looking place(?). I chose the latter and simply picked a spot that looked climbable, then scrambled my way uphill.

Although the site is mostly overgrown, there is some evidence of cutting trees near the promontory, which opens up the view toward Yakami Castle. It’s a great spot to stand and imagine yourself as Akechi Mitsuhide, gazing across the valley and strategizing your ultimate siege against the Hatano's significantly more formidable mountaintop stronghold.

There is no bus that conveniently stops right in front of the castle. You can take one of the local busses that gets near and walk 2-3km or rent a bicycle from the Tourist Information Center near Sasayama Castle and cycle the 5km here.

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Gallery

Yakami Castle in the distance

Castle Profile
English Name	Hannyaji Castle
Japanese Name	般若寺城
Alternate Names	Sasayama Toride
Founder	Akechi Mitsuhide
Year Founded	1578
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Sasayamaguchi Station, bus, walk
Hours	Mountain trails, see field notes for details
Time Required	30 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Tanba Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture
Coordinates	35.07651, 135.26469
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2024
Admin Visits	November 7, 2024
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