Tatsuoka Castle

This is one of only two 5 point sar shaped forts in Japan. Be sure to view the Google map where you can very easily see the star shape that you can't get from this pictures. The castle is about the same distance from either Usuda or Tatsuokajo Stations. I walked from Usuda to the castle and then out

History

Matsudaira Norikata founded the castle in 1864. Unfortunately, it was never totally finished by the time the Meiji Restoration began and it was abandoned in 1871. Rather than a huge fort like that of Goryokaku, Tatsuoka Castle is comparatively smaller and it's thought that it was intended as a residence rather than a large scale castle. Also, despite taking in the elements of a European star shaped fortress the moats are fairly narrow and shallow so it would not have been a very strong fortress. Norikata was well respected and served the shogunate in several high ranking positions. After the Meiji Restoration he helped found Hakuaisha, which would later become the Japan Red Cross.

Field Notes

This is one of only two 5 point sar shaped forts in Japan. Be sure to view the Google map where you can very easily see the star shape that you can't get from this pictures. The castle is about the same distance from either Usuda or Tatsuokajo Stations. I walked from Usuda to the castle and then out to Tatsuokajo. The castle grounds are now occupied by an elementary school, but apparently they are open for walking around. Be sure you don't miss the original gate and wall about a 10 min walk from the castle. the town also has some old temples that are worth a visit if you're there.

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Gallery

moat and stone walls
Oteguchi entrance
moat and stone walls
kitchen
original gate and wall
stone walls
stone walls
moat and stone walls
entrance to the inner grounds
moat and stone walls
moat and stone walls
moat and stone walls
moat and stone walls
stone walls of a masugata gate
map

Castle Profile
English Name	Tatsuoka Castle
Japanese Name	龍岡城
Alternate Names	Tatsuoka Goryokaku, Tanoguchi Jinya
Founder	Matssudaira Norikata
Year Founded	1864
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Next 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	gates, turrets, water moats, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Tatsuokajo Sta./Usuda Sta. (JR Yatsugatake Kogen Line); walk 20 mins
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Saku, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.19615, 138.50165
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2011
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2011
Admin Visits	September 21, 2011

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