Suganuma Castle (Kai)
Suganumajō is a former okajiro (hilltop castle) site in Terasawa village in Minobu Township of historical Koma County. Few ruins remain, however, as a school was built atop of the hill in the 1970s. Hero castle-bloggers have identified the remains of a lower bailey complex in the wooded area below t
History
Suganumajō was built by Okabe Masatsuna under the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu following the Honnōji incident in June of 1582. Ieyasu needed a bridgehead for his renewed invasion of Kai Province in the opening power vacuum. The fort was named for the garrison commander, Suganuma Sadamasa. The fort consisted of baileys protected by earthen ramparts, as well as trenches bisecting the hillside. Surprisingly, Suganumajō was in place until 1602, by which time a small town had developed beneath the castle.
Field Notes
Suganumajō is a former okajiro (hilltop castle) site in Terasawa village in Minobu Township of historical Koma County. Few ruins remain, however, as a school was built atop of the hill in the 1970s. Hero castle-bloggers have identified the remains of a lower bailey complex in the wooded area below the school, but I could find no way to reach this part. Incidentally, the school itself is now closed down, and the site has become a (civilian) drone base. There is a signboard with information about the fort alongisde the road up to the former school.
Kai-Suganumajō, not to be confused with Ina-Suganumajō in neighbouring Shinano Province, sits overlooking the Fuji River and the village of Kiriishi. Suganumajō is also known as Terasawajō and Kiriishi-toride. Suganumajō is designated as a local historic site.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Suganuma Castle (Kai) |
| Japanese Name | 甲斐菅沼城 |
| Alternate Names | Kiriishi-toride (切石砦) / Terasawajō (寺沢城) |
| Founder | Okabe Masatsuna |
| Year Founded | 1582 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Closest station is Kai-Iwama Station on the Minobu Line |
| Hours | Access Limited |
| Time Required | 10 minutes |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Minobu, Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35.46975, 138.44261 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
