Younoyama Castle
Yōnoyamajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Odani Township, Nagahama Municipality. Ruins consist of dorui (earthen ramparts), yokobori (lateral trenches), horikiri (ridge-cutting trenches) and tatebori (climbing trenches), as well as a koguchi ('tiger maw') gate complex structure. Yōnoya
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History
Yōnoyamajō was constructed in 1513 by Azai Sukemasa. During Oda Nobunaga's 1572 siege of Odanijō, forces from Asakura, specifically Horie and Kubota clansmen, defended Yōnoyamajō, but the fort ultimately fell when the Asakura war effort collapsed.
Field Notes
Yōnoyamajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Odani Township, Nagahama Municipality. Ruins consist of dorui (earthen ramparts), yokobori (lateral trenches), horikiri (ridge-cutting trenches) and tatebori (climbing trenches), as well as a koguchi ('tiger maw') gate complex structure.
Yōnoyamajō's main bailey is ringed by the yokobori which is in ensconced by dorui. To the fore and aft large horikiri protect the main bailey complex. The main bailey is accessed via the koguchi from the east. The southern horikiri complex is a double-trench system with a tatebori going down the hillside in the east.
Yōnoyamajō is a well-maintained, impressive structure. The yokobori arrangement is satisfying, and almost seems as though a plainsland castle was lifted bodily up onto a hill! Yōnoyamajō also has several satellite fortifications in its orbit.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Younoyama Castle |
| Japanese Name | 丁野山城 |
| Founder | Azai Sukemasa |
| Year Founded | 1513 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Yokobori, Dorui, Horikiri, Kuruwa |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Kawake Station on the Hokuriku Main Line; 10 min walk to trail. |
| Hours | 24/7 free; mountain |
| Time Required | 40 mins |
| Location | Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35.45613, 136.24935 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Oshiro Tabi Nikki | |
| Jōshi Meguri Bibōroku | |
| Jōkakuzukan | |
| Yogo | |
