Kogamine Castle (Kyoto)

Some websites split this into two castles, Kogamine Castle and Shofukuji (Castle), but I've kept them together. This is how they are classed in the Kyoto Survey of Castles where the Shofukuji part is called the Fourth Bailey. You can also see the mountaintop fortification on the Yamaga Jin'ya ma

History

The castle was built by Waku Yoshikuni in 1563. After Akechi Mitsuhide conquered Fukuchiyama as part of the Tanba Campaign, Waku yielded to Mitsuhide under Nobunaga's condition that he raze the castle. Waku claimed the castle was actually a temple and family cemetery, Shofukuji, and refused to do so. Mitsuhide forcibly took the castle in 1580 and hunted down Waku who fled before the siege.

Field Notes

Some websites split this into two castles, Kogamine Castle and Shofukuji (Castle), but I've kept them together. This is how they are classed in the Kyoto Survey of Castles where the Shofukuji part is called the Fourth Bailey. You can also see the mountaintop fortification on the Yamaga Jin'ya map: https://www.kyoto-be.ne.jp/bunkazai/cms/?p=2206

This is a short quick hike to the mountaintop (elevation change of maybe 120m) so if you've gone out of your way to get to Yamaga Jin'ya you should definitely climb the mountain too. The hiking entrance is right across the street from the gate at Yamaga Jin'ya.

The history of these two sites (Kogamine Castle and Yamaga Jin'ya) is often conflated and the names used interchangeably but I do not think that is correct nor appropriate. The way I've laid out the history and relation of these two castles most accurately reflects the history and structure of both, but please read the two together for the full picture.

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Castle Profile
English Name	Kogamine Castle (Kyoto)
Japanese Name	甲ケ峯城
Alternate Names	Yamaga-jo
Founder	Waku Yoshikuni
Year Founded	1563
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Yamaga Sta. 25 min walk; or bus from Ayabe Sta. to Yamaga bus stop (12 mins) and 15 mins walk to the hiking trail
Hours	mountain, open 24x7
Time Required	60 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Ayabe, Kyoto
Coordinates	35.30199, 135.3224
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2024
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2023
Admin Visits	October 22, 2023
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