Murakami Castle

If you visit Shibata Castle, I also recommend you stop by Murakami Castle. There are many nice stone walls hidden in the woods and the Honmaru bailey stone walls are nearly complete. The atmosphere reminds me of Takatori Castle in Nara even though it's not quite the same scale. Parts of the stone wa

History

The original castle on this mountain was built by the Honjo during the Sengoku Period. It was simply some earthen embankments and dry moats. In 1598, when Murakami Yorikatsu became lord of the area, he transformed it into a modern castle. In 1618, Hori Naoyori also greatly renovated the castle. The castle territory you see today dates from this time period. The Hori also built a three story main keep and developed the castle town around the foot of the mountain. In 1649, Matsudaira Naonori renovated the castle and rebuilt the main keep and most other structures. In 1667, the main keep and honmaru buildings burned down in a fire caused by lightning. The castle switched hands among several other fudai daimyo lords until the Naito clan arrived in 1729. It remained with the Naito until the Meiji restoration where it was all burned to the ground in the Boshin War.

Field Notes

If you visit Shibata Castle, I also recommend you stop by Murakami Castle. There are many nice stone walls hidden in the woods and the Honmaru bailey stone walls are nearly complete. The atmosphere reminds me of Takatori Castle in Nara even though it's not quite the same scale. Parts of the stone walls are under restoration but it shouldn't harm your enjoyment of this castle. The restoration will be in progress until 2014 so don't let it stop you from going now. I recommend late fall or spring before the stone walls are overgrown with weeds. The town also has 5 splendid samurai homes that are highly recommendable.

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Gallery

Honmaru stone walls
Site of the lord's mansion
Entrance to the 7 Turns Road
The 7 Turns Road
Stone walls to the Yottsumon Gate
Remnants of the Yottsumon Gate.
Okanemon Gate stone walls
Okanemon Gate
Stone walls under construction
Uzumimon Gate
Honmaru as seen from the Uzumimon Gate
Entrance to the honmaru
Stone walls of the honmaru
Honmaru stone walls
Stone walls inside the Honmaru
Honmaru entrance as seen from the inside of the honmaru
Stone walls under construction
Stone walls of the East Gate
Stone walls under construction and the view from the honmaru
main keep location
View from the Honmaru
Stairs inside the Honmaru
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls and nice view
Honmaru stone walls
Castle Map
Fujii House
Iwama House
Iwama House
Inside the Iwama House
Inside the Iwama House
Narita House
Takaoka House
Inside the Takaoka House
Wakabayashi House

Castle Profile
English Name	Murakami Castle
Japanese Name	村上城
Alternate Names	Honjo-jo, Maizuru-jo
Founder	Murakami Yorikatsu
Year Founded	1598
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Next 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	samurai homes, stone walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access	Murakami Sta. (Uetsu Line); 30min walk
Hours	Park, open any time
Time Required	120 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Murakami, Niigata Prefecture
Coordinates	38.21982, 139.48443
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2011
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2011
Admin Visits	October 9, 2011

Nearby Samurai Homes

Wakabayashi Residence

3.50

(4 votes)

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