Tsuwano Castle

The stone walls of Tsuwano Castle are spectacular and it reminds you a lot of Takeda Castle but a little bit smaller scale. Don't miss the Babasaki Yagura and Monomiyagura watchtowers in the town.You can take the ski lift to the top of the mountain but there is also a trail near the Taikodani Inari

History

Yoshimi Yoriyuki established this castle, originally called Sanbonmatsu-jo, to watch over the province of Iwami. His family ruled here for 14 generations. Yoshimi Hironaga, the 14th generation, supported the Mouri clan in the Battle of Sekigahara (1600) and was moved to Hagi with them after they lost to the Tokugawa forces.

Sakazaki Naomori was awarded this domain for his support and success at the Battle of Sekigahara. Starting from the Demaru Bailey he started to vastly expand and fortify the castle. The stone walls you see at the top of the mountain date from this time period. Naomori died in 1616 leaving no descendents. Kamei Masanori was moved here in his place where his family ruled for 11 generations until the coming of the Meiji Period when the castle was dismantled.　The tenshu burned down in a fire caused by lightning in 1686. The castle was dismantled in 1873.

Field Notes

The stone walls of Tsuwano Castle are spectacular and it reminds you a lot of Takeda Castle but a little bit smaller scale. Don't miss the Babasaki Yagura and Monomiyagura watchtowers in the town.You can take the ski lift to the top of the mountain but there is also a trail near the Taikodani Inari Shrine. It is not a particularly difficult hike, but you should plan about an hour.

Also, it is very advisable to carry a bear bell to keep bears away. There were numerous signs to that effect and 2 people cautioned me about not having one. You can see some minor fortifications like horikiri trenches and small baileys. Also the trail from the South Gate continues on down through the Nakaara Castle and out to the Washihara Hachimangu Shrine. It's an enjoyable walk but sometimes the path is not clear.

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Gallery

Looking towards the Sannomaru Bailey from the Sanjukkendai
Koshiguruwa bailey
Demaru Bailey
Demaru Bailey
Stone walls of the Demaru Bailey
Demaru
Demaru stone walls
Demaru
Demaru bailey stone walls
Koshiguruwa bailey stone walls
Stone walls
Main keep foundation
Main keep foundation
Main keep entrance
3 tiers of stone walls
Main keep foundation walls
West Gate stone walls
Entrance to the Sanjukkendai from the Taikomaru Bailey
Entrance to the Sanjukkendai and the sea of clouds
View from the Sanjukkendai bailey
Hitojichi and Sannnomaru Baileys
Sanjukkendai Bailey
Taikomaru Bailey
Taikomaru Bailey
Entrance to the Sanjukkendai
Taikomaru Bailey
Sanjukkendai stone walls
South Gate
Hitojichi Bailey and Sanjukkendai stone walls
Hitojichi Bailey and Sanjukkendai stone walls
Sannomaru Bailey
Sanjukkendai stone walls
Steps into the Ebi Yagura of the Sannomaru
Sannomaru Bailey
Main Keep foundation
View of Tsuwano town
Tsuwano castle map
Tsuwano castle map
South Demaru Bailey
horikiri
Monomi Yagura
Monomi Yagura
Babasaki Yagura.
Nagaya Gate of the Yorokan
Front side of the Yorokan Nagaya Gate
Back side of the Yorokan Nagayamon
Gate to the Tago Family residence
Tsuwano Community Center gate
Gate to the Ooka Family residence
Castle town
A street in the castle town

Castle Profile
English Name	Tsuwano Castle
Japanese Name	津和野城
Alternate Names	Sanbonmatsu-jo
Founder	Yoshimi Yoriyuki
Year Founded	1283
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Top 100 Castles, Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	samurai homes, trenches, stone walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access	Tsuwano Sta. (Yamaguchi Line)
Hours	The lift runs 10am to 5pm and costs 450 yen round trip.
Time Required	75 mins for the castle ruins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture
Coordinates	34.4611, 131.76382
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2007
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2014
Admin Visits	Nov 22, 2014

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