Yamato Koriyama Castle
This site was much better than I expected. The reconstructed buildings and many remaining moats and stone walls make this a great location to visit. The castle was designated a National Historic Site in 2022.
History
After Tsutsui Junkei defeated his long time enemy Matsunaga Hisahide in 1580 he moved to Koriyama strengthening the fortifications that were there and building Koriyama Castle. In 1585 Hideyoshi's brother Hidenaga moved into Koriyama Castle and conducted many improvements making it into a large scale modern castle. He also confiscated many stones from nearby temple gardens and even religious statues for use in the walls. Mashita Nagamori moved into the castle in 1595 but abandoned it when he lost at the Battle of Sekigahara. The castle fell into disrepair for a time until Ieyasu stationed Mizuno Katsushige here in 1615 and commissioned him to reconstruct the castle. Yanagisawa Yoshisato became lord of the castle in 1724. The Yanagisawa continued to rule until the Meiji Restoration when the castle was abandoned.
Field Notes
This site was much better than I expected. The reconstructed buildings and many remaining moats and stone walls make this a great location to visit. The castle was designated a National Historic Site in 2022.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Yamato Koriyama Castle |
| Japanese Name | 大和郡山城 |
| Founder | Tsutsui Junkei |
| Year Founded | 1580 |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| 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 | Yamato Koriyama Sta. (Kintetsu Nara Line); 7 min. walk |
| Hours | Open anytime. I hear that the reconstructed yagura and gate are open during certain times like the cherry blossom festival. |
| Time Required | 90 mins |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Yamato Koriyama, Nara Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.65147, 135.77959 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2009 |
| Contributor | RaymondW |
| Admin Year Visited | 2016 |
| Admin Visits | Dec 24, 2016 |
