日本のお城のレポートは主に現存の石垣とか空堀とか切り堀とか、、、ニッチな情報とともにお城＆遺跡の現地説明会情報などを収集発信しています。
Cherry blossoms are fully bloomed in Early May in Hirosaki. There was a fully blossomed picture panel on the moat of Hirosaki castle. Demonstration of the ancient martial arts Demonstration of the ancient martial arts had been carried out in samurai residences of downtown Hirosaki castle. Heir of Bokuden branch, Mr. Takahide Koyama is demonstrating how to defend yourself with oneself when the enemy attacks.
A Osaka’s symbolic monument, Osaka castle has a unique history. Osaka was a city which was the political capital during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603). The original builder of Osaka castle was Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Osaka was Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s City After Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s death, Ieyasu Tokugawa became the new ruler. After the defeat of the Toyotomi family, Ieyasu order the destruction of Osaka castle. But Still Osaka People Love Hideyoshi Osaka people were known for their vital energy and and not obedient to the powerful authority. As tactful leader Hideyoshi was successful in winning the hearts and minds of Osaka people. The new leader Tokugawa must had been very careful to manage […]
Beautiful Snow and Castles Winter senery of Japanese castles are beautiful. I have selected seven castles’ winter festivals. Name of Castle Hirosaki Castle Location Hirosaki Park Event Hirosaki Snow lanterns Festival Event Duration Feb.11-14/2016 URL Hirosaki Snow lanterns Festival Name of Castle Aizuwakamatsu Castle Location Tsurugajyo Park Event Aizu Candle Festival Event Duration Feb.11-13/2016 URL Aizu Candle Festival Name of Castle Kochi Castle Location Kochi Park Event Kochi Castle Winter Festival Event Duration Nov.30-Dec.8/2016 URL Kochi Castle Winter Festival Name of Castle Kanazawa Castle Location Kenrokuen Event Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen-Light Up- Event Duration Feb.5-14/2016 URL Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen-Light Up- Name of Castle Matsumoto Castle Event Ice Carving Festival […]
Sanadamaru has been in the sudden spot light since NHK decided to product the drama “Sanadamaru” next year. This branch castle has been famous since the Osaka war occurred 400 years ago. The heroic samurai Yukimura Sanada built this castle and died in this war. The story of the Osaka war made a huge impact on Japanese people and was made into a Kabuki play and paintings. For the Japanese “how a samurai dies” is very important. The Osaka war was fought between the Tokugawa family and the Toyotomi family. The very powerful Tokugawa came with fought massive and well equipped army to Osaka to demolish Toyotomi. Toyotomi scraped up […]
Komayumidake locates in Aoki village in Nagano Japan. This village used to be an important barrier station between Ueda and Matsumoto. In the war era, there were many mountain castles. Komayumidake castle was one of the most important mountain castles and belonged to Sanada clan. Now let’s try Komayumidake mountain and see how impregnable it was. The Closest Bus Stop Togo is Far from the Trekking Route The bus runs from the Ueda station to Aoki village every one hour. Take “Aoki-sen” bus and get off at “Togo” bus stop. There are Japanese traditional houses, and you can see beautiful farm view. About 45 minutes walk you will see a […]
Wakayama castle is1 hour train ride from the Kansai Airport. 10 minutes walk from Wakayamashi station and you can see a massive medieval Japanese castle from the highway 26. Wakayama locates south of Osaka and Kyoto. The weather is much warmer than Osaka and mikan (mandarine orange) is the special product of this district for more than 400 years. Autumn to winter is the time for mikan if you have a chance to visit, you should try one. Also, autumn leaves are beautiful in the garden of Wakayama castle. Ishigaki- Stone Wall Is One to Look at Wakayama Castle In Japanese casltes, ishigaki (stone wall or base) structures tell the […]
Autumn Leaves Information Many Japanese castles are having autumn leaves festivals. Most castles are surrounded by nature. You can enjoy transition of Japanese seasons at a sight of castle. Name of Castle Hirosaki Castle (Aomori) Location Hirosaki Park Event Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival Event Duration October 16 – November 8, 2015 Lighting Up October 16 – Mid November, 2015、Sunset – 21：00 URL Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival Name of Castle Aizuwakamatsu Castle (Fukushima) Location Tsuruga-Castle Park Event Tsuruga-Castle Light Up Lighting Up October 23 – November 15, 2015. Dawn – 21:00 URL Tsuruga-Castle Light Up Name of Castle Ueda Castle (Nagano) Location Ueda Castle Park […]
Which castles are most popular in Japan? Following ranking is a top 10 most searched castles of Japan. Takeda Castle (Volume 60,500/month) Takeda Castle is a mountain castle in Hyogo. This castle became famous for sea of clouds. Matsumoto Castle (Volume 40,500/month) Matsumoto Castle is a accessible from Tokyo and photogenic castle. This is the closest castle which has an authentic donjon from Tokyo. Kumamoto Castle (Volume 40,500/month) Kumamoto Castle is a very popular among castle fans in Japan. The builder of the castle Kato Kiyomasa is respected castle builder of Japan. Inuyama Castle (Volume 40,500/month) Inuyama Castle is a photogenic castle which has an authentic donjon. The downtown area is too a popular sightseeing sight. Odawara Castle (Volume 33,100/month) […]
古代山城 (Kodai Yamajiro)-Ancient mountain castles 中世山城 (Chusei Yamajiro)-medieval mountain castles 近世山城 (Kinsei Yamajiro)-early modern mountain castles 平山城 (Hirayamajiro)-a castle built on a hill in a plain 平城 (Hirajiro)-a castle built in a plain 城柵 (Jyosaku)- Ancient Guardian Office Ancient Fortress Foreign Style was built in Order to Counter the Invading Forces from the Tang and Baekje Ancient mountain castles in Japan are built in Asuka to Nara period in the West Japan. The mountain castles have many similarities with Korean Peninsula castles because Baekje nobility that had been exiled from the current Korean Peninsula was the guidance of architecture.Typical one is Onojo. The castles are only barricaded in the war […]
Well, – I went to visit Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace)! I thought most part of Edo Castle may not be shown to public because it is the Imperial Palace these days. However, quite a big area was open to public and some places you can enter if you send an application for the tour. http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo.html Brief History of Edo Castle Tokyo used be a remote wetland about 400 years ago and called Edo. Edo castle was built on a stand ground and it was not too big. However, Tokugawa Ieyasu moved into Edo and he developed Edo into one of the biggest cities in Japan. He rebuilt Edo […]
Next year’s NHK drama’s hero will be Yukimura Sanada. He is one of the most popular samurai heroes in Japan. Many know him from TV games. Yukimura had been popular in Kabuki play since in Edo period (1603–1868). Japanese people love him. I will expect after this drama broad casted, Yukimura associated castles will be super crowded. So before that, I should visit all of them. History of Sanada Sanada family was a small samurai family in Shinano area current Nagano. Yukitaka (Yukimura’s grand father) gained power after he started to work for Takeda family. Takeda was one of the most powerful samurai families in Japan at that time. After […]
Odawara is Very Close to Tokyo I wanted to try out my new Nikon SLR digital camera, so I went to Odawara Castle. It will be one and half a hour from Shinjyuku Station. Hakone hot spring resort is next to it too. 10 Minutes Walk. There is Odawara Castle. Sumiyagura-corner tower Many Buildings of Odawara Castle are Restored. Umadashimon Gate In Odawara Castle, many buildings have been restored. You can see medieval Japanese castle in full scale. Umayakuruwa。 Akaganemon and internal moat. Sumiyoshi Bridge Akaganemon means copper gate. There are copper plate ornaments on this gate. Tokiwagimon Shocking!! The donjon is under construction. I couldn’t enter this day. The […]
