Maenoyama Noroshidai
Maenoyama-noroshidai is a noroshidai (fortified beacon) site in Sutama Township, Hokuto Municipality. The mountaintop is flattened, possibly indicating a bailey space. There are some small stone-piled walls beneath this flat area, but the piling method and religious monuments atop suggest that this
History
Maenoyama-noroshidai was part of the network of beacons that linked Takeda territory in their homeland of Kai with their conquests in neighbouring Shinano. Maenoyama-noroshidai sat between Gōdo-noroshidai to the north (which I visited just before Maenoyama-noroshidai) and Hishi-noroshidai to the south.
Field Notes
Maenoyama-noroshidai is a noroshidai (fortified beacon) site in Sutama Township, Hokuto Municipality. The mountaintop is flattened, possibly indicating a bailey space. There are some small stone-piled walls beneath this flat area, but the piling method and religious monuments atop suggest that this masonry is not medieval. I visited this ruin as part of a tour of noroshidai in the area. Though there are no obvious medieval ruins at the peak, the climb and views were enthralling.
The forest road which begins opposite Shiokawa Shrine goes by a curious stone-piled tomb-like structure dug into the hillside, but with a tiny entrance, and so unlike a kofun (ancient burial mound). I scrambled up to have a look inside but there was no clue within the space inside, large relative to the entrance. At first I had no idea of the purpose of this stone-lined dug-out, but then it dawned on me: it looked like a charcoal kiln! This would've been necessary for sending smoke signals from the noroshidai above. These may be the chief medieval remains at this site then; very exciting.
The forest road terminates at a set of rickety scaffolding stairs leading to the mountaintop. The reason for this infrastructure is to grant access to the antenna in the bailey. Speaking of infrastructure, the mountaintop overlooks Lake Mizugaki, an artificial lake created by the Shiokawa ('Salt River') Dam which dams the Shio River. The view of the lake and the dam is excellent from the noroshidai site. The mountainside facing the dam has been intensively fortified - albeit with modern concrete retaining walls to prevent any slippage. This whole scene was quite intense, especially in the chill winter air.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Maenoyama Noroshidai |
| Japanese Name | 前の山烽火台 |
| Founder | Takeda Shingen |
| Year Founded | 16th Century |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | stone walls |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Hike from opposite Shiokawa Shrine |
| Hours | 24/7 free; mountain |
| Time Required | 20 minutes |
| Location | Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35.85677, 138.49889 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Yogo | |
