[Explanation]
Goryokaku in Hakodate City, Hokkaido is Japan’s first Western style archway. It was built under the design of “Takeda Kazaburo” in order to combat the foreign threat from the northern part of the Edo era at the end of the Tokugawa period. As a feature of Hakodate Goryokaku, it is a castle of five stars, each of which has a cannon placed at the tip of each and it was possible to bombard each direction.

In the midst of the Tokugawa shogunate, the shogunate was going to appoint a substitute officer to the Hakodate magistrate office but “Tokugawa Yoshinobi” announced the reconciliation and abandoned the administration, a substitute was newly assigned by the new government army. At that time, the former shogunate troops in various places were dissatisfied with the reconciliation of the Great Government of Keikyu, the battle of Toba Fushimi broke out by the former shogunate army, which is the main force of the new government forces and the Aizu, Kuwana, Shinsengumi etc. Major Shogunate Army, the shogunate army is withdrawn and retreats to Osaka Castle.

Tokushige Yoshinobi “, the key to the recursion at Osaka Castle, is going to escape with leaving the vice president to Edo. This destroys the authority in the West, finally the scouting forces and sweeping forces to various places were organized in order to eliminate the former shogunate forces. Higashiyama Army • Tokaido Army, which began advancing towards Edo, arrived in Edo while absorbing it by surrendering, casting and casting the former shogunate castle in various places. Here, a meeting was held for famous Edo castle bleeding by Takamori Saigo and Katsu Kai. As a result, Edo castle attacks were canceled and the town of Edo was able to escape from the battle.

※Hakodate magistrate place

Meanwhile, a part of the former shogunate army that complained about this escaped from Edo and headed toward Boso and Northeast. A part of the former shogunate army that remained in Edo lived in Ueno and was referred to as “Akikei” and had a conflict with the new government forces. And eventually the Ueno war broke out with the morale of “Omura Masujiro” and the battle of only one day “Azusa” will be destroyed.

“Takeaki Enomoto” of the former Shogunate Army Vice Governor was also dissatisfied, aiming for Sendai one step after taking the shoguns of the survivors and dissatisfaction of these priests. The remnants of the former shogunate army who showed resistance in various places also faced Utsunomiya fight, Nagaoka castle fight, Aizu Wakamatsu fight and lost to Sendai Road Sendai.

Here the old shogunate navy and the army live wreckage gathered to Sendai, Enomoto housed the former shogunate soldiers in each warship to realize the dream of the development of the Ezo land, which had been conceived for a while, to Ezo (Hokkaido Hakodate) I headed. The new government forces that had already dominated the Ezo land and the only clan “Hatsukaido clan” which was the first to be appointed to the new government forces quickly grabbed the Enomoto fleet, but withdrew to the Aomori, despite being defeated.

Thus, Enomoto Takeo established the “Ezo Republic” in Meiji 2. At one time other countries also recognized this as an independent country. The former shogunate army led by Enokoto prepares for battle against the new coming government forces by arranging maintenance of each of the turret and construction of “four quadrils” and Benten Daiba, Matsumae garrison, Esashi garrison etc. on the coast.

■ For details of the four quadrants from here
http://www.jp-history.info/castle/330.html

※Shiryokaku

In the spring of Meiji 2, the new government army arrived at the Tsugaru Strait and finally started to exploit Ezo. Although it was a good fight in the first game, it was Enomoto Army but lost warships in an unfortunate manner, deprived of the sea power, pushing by the new government army boasting overwhelming military power even in land, finally deciding to surrender within Goryokaku. Surviving in a number of fierce battles, “Shinsengumi” who has been seeking a fighting place to Goryokaku, “Hijikata Kozo” realizes that even if it surrenders it cannot escape from severe punishment, it can be said that he is reckless himself he makes an assault.

※New Goryokaku Tower

The building of the Hakodate magistrate office was a high building at that time and it seems that it became the target of the ship fire shooting from Hakodate Bay. The dream of the development of the Ezo land to feed the former clerk and its family by Enomoto battle was destroyed here. Hakodate Goryokaku is designated as “Japan 100 Great castle No. 2”.

In addition to the Hakodate Goryokaku, there is another Goryokaku in Japan, and it is called “Tatsuoka Goryakaku”. This Goryokaku exists in Shinshu Saku.

■ For more information about Tatsutaoka Goryokaku
http://www.jp-history.info/castle/378.html

※Tatsutaoka Goryokaku

[Address,access]
Hakodate City Goryokaku Town, Hokkaido 040-0001

[Map]

[Explanation]
Aizuwakamatsu Castle located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a historic castle that is now crowded with many tourists. Muromachi era “Masao” was ruling over this place for generations, but it was captured by “Date Masamune” which continued to expand the territory from Yonezawa at the end of Sengoku Era. Aizuwakamatsu castle at this time was called “Kurokawa castle”.

After that, the central unification of “Toyotomi Hideyoshi” advanced in the middle of Japan, and its influence was also spreading to the Ouu district. Hideyoshi had declared “a war on me a battle prohibition” to the whole country under the name of the champion of the world, but Shimazu in Kyushu and Nagamori in Shikoku etc did not obey it. Masamune ignored this proclamation and promoted unification of Oku, finally succeeded in breaking the largest rival Aizu of Ashina and putting the ground under the influence.

Meanwhile, the state of the world has spread to the northern end Ouuwa district of Japan depends on Hideyoshi ‘s unification of Kyushu and Unification of Shikoku, and finally the pre – eminent Kanto “Hojo attack” began. Masamune was also doubting about himself until the last moment Hojo attacks were done, but eventually he joined Hojo to attack Hideyoshi and thanked his minister.

However, Hideyoshi does not completely trust Masamune, but confiscates the land of Aizu which Masamune himself cut out, and decides to move the headquarters to Iwadeyama castle. In the field of Aizu as a role of monitoring and supervising that politician, the former ‘Matsuzaka Castle Owner’, a senior son-in-law of Oda Nobunaga, has been appointed.

The land of Aizu is said to have been called Wakamatsu by Township. However, Shigo unfortunately suffered young at the age of the disease and the young successor to the Gamo family will be succeeded by Hideyuki Gamo. The second lord lord “Hideyuki” was still childish, so he could not rule over his family, and the house fuss also broke up and it was moved to country of San’s Utsunomiya.

The next largest family of Echigo who came in Aizu this time is “Uesugi Kagekatsu”, one of the five elderly people who succeeded the Uesugi Kenshin ruins. Uesugi was the greatest stonewall of Tohoku and was assigned as a suppression of Masamune. In such circumstances, the most famous “battle of Sekigahara” broke out in history in the fifth year of Keicho (1600 years). This race occurred in the form of Uesugi Kenkatsu opposing the exclusive domineering of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the battle became a massive battle in the form of bisecting Japan nationwide.

The warfare such as Uesugi Kanbaku and Ishida Mitsunari was lost to Ieyasu Tokugawa by this battle, and the Uesugi family also become allegiance. And from Aizu 1.2 million Jewels to Yonezawa 300 thousand Jewels, Uesugi vassal group goes to Yonezawa and retreats. After that, when the Gamo family returned as a lord of Aizu, but Tadasato who succeeded Hideyuki died, because there was no inheritance, it is declined and it is regarded as a transference to Iyo Matsuyama.

After that, it was Hideyoshi’s surviving daimyo “Kato Yoshiaki” who reigned the land of Aizu. The Kato family entered the Aizu site with 400,000 Jewels. However, at the Kato family after the death of Kaohi, the house riot is constantly finally decided, the ordinary child of Shogun Tokugawa Shogun Hidetada entered with Aizu 230,000 stones, then renamed to Matsudaira) will govern.

At the end of the Tokugawa period, a battle took place between the new government army and the former shogunate army in various places, and call it “Boshin War”. After the battle of Toba Fushimi, the battle of Koshu Katsunuma, the battle of Akeni Ueno, the battle of Utsunomiya by the former shogunate deserting army, the battle of Nagaoka, the battleground finally came close to Aizu castle. The Aizu clan sent regular forces to various places, and only a few old soldiers and young soldiers remained in the castle.

The Aizu clan who received the raid was pushed by the new government forces boasting overwhelming military power in various places, and finally the battle shifted to the basketball game. Although the Aizu clan often fought well well, it is surrounded many times by the new government forces gathered from the whole country, and it will surrender to the Kaijo until now. In addition, it is said that this is the most tragic event in this battle, anecdotes of “Byakkotai” which left their name until posterity remain. The young clans of 16 to 18 years old misunderstood that the castle fell as a result of seeing the fire in the burning castle town, and it was self-edging.

Even now, near the castle of Aizu, “Iimoriyama” has a tomb of Byakkotai built and many people are visiting. Meanwhile, Aizu Wakamatsu Castle was torn down in the early Meiji era because it was subjected to heavy attacks during the Boshin War but it was rebuilt as “Restored castle tower” in the Showa era. Currently, Aizuwakamatsu Castle is selected as “Japan 100 Great castle No. 12th”.

[Address,access]
1-1, Ochiai Town, Aizuwakamatsu city, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0873

[Map]

[Explanation]
“Takeda Castle” which is wielded authority in the country of Tajima is the mountain castle of the total stone wall which was extensively remodeled in the Toyotomi Era. Originally it was founded by Mr. Otagaki, a vassal of a mountain family who had power in the San’in region.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

After that, enter the Sengoku period, cast by Oshida family warlords “Hashiba Hideyoshi” who was appointed officer of the Chugoku Regional Capture Strategy and falling castle. Since then, Hideyoshi ‘s younger brother’ Hidenaga’ becomes a governing authority in castle. After that, Takeda Castle was appointed castle owner “Akamatsu Hirohide” as the base of Tajima’s country, and promoted the refurbishment of the castle.

Takeda Castle is a typical mountain castle, surrounded by stone walls that are overwhelmed around the castle, and was built up in the castle of total stone wall. When the Sengoku Era also enters the latter period, Heaven is belonged to “Tokugawa Ieyasu” and the “Sekigahara fight” breaks out with the West Army led by “Ishida Mitsunari” who does not feel comfortable with the rise of Ieyasu.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

Waves of warfare also rushed to the San’in region, and Hirohide joined the castle attack in order to stop Miyabe of Tottori castle given to the West Army led by Ishida Mitsunari. Although Ieyasu reported the intention to surrendering the castle without losing the castle at Tottori castle, at the same time “Kamei Shigenori” who could not fulfill his duty also joined in the castle attack. “Shigenori” and “Hiroshi” that caused Ieyasu’s feelings to be bad, but in the long run, “Hirohide” is taken responsible and is ordered to commit suicide by belly cutting.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

Takeda castle which lost the castle owner was regarded as abandoned castle. Presently the pedestal of the castle tower and many stone walls are kept beautifully. Takeda Castle is certified as a national designated historic site, and it is also selected for Japan 100 Castle Castle 56th. In recent years it has become a bustling castle with many tourists, Takeda Castle surrounded by the sea of clouds and looks like a castle in the sky, so it is also called a castle in the sky or Machu Picchu in Japan.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

[Address,access]
Wadayama Town, Asago city Hyogo prefecture 669-5254

[Map]

[Explanation]
Okayama Castle is a castle that Ukita used as a castle during the Sengoku Era. In the Edo era “Okayama clan 2nd lord “Ikeda Tsunamasa” is famous as the current “Japan Three Giant Gardens”, which landscaped as his own garden.

Currently Okayama Castle has become a nationally designated historic site, Ukita prospered to the extent of Ukita Naoya great prosperity. After that, when Hashidoba Hideyoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) fight against China, it decides to leave Mouri family and follow Oda. And it becomes the feudal era police rank of the Hideyoshi army in Chugoku region.

However, in Hideyoshi’s China supression war, in the Kyoto rebellion of Akechi Mitsuhide, the owner Oda Nobunaga will be killed. Hideyoshi suddenly leaves the Chinese province and heads to Kyoto and develops a battle of revenge of Nobunaga with Akechi Mitsuhide.

The battle ended with the victory of the Hideyoshi army, and from there it will be the way to unification of Hashiba Hideyoshi. In one incident, in Okayama castle Ukita Naoei died due to illness, and a son “Utaka Hideie” inherited the family headship.

Hideya was adopted by Hashiba Hideyoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and received the benefit from him. After that, he joined the unification of Hideyoshi ‘s Tenkai many times and is chosen as one of the five elderly. In addition to Hidemoto, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Maeda Toshiie, Mouri Terumoto, Uesugi Kagekatsu were appointed to five elderly people.

Under such circumstances, after the death of Hideyoshi, five leaders of Magistrate “Ishida Mitsunari” and “Tokugawa Ieyasu” relationship worsened and the battle of Sekigahara began, Hideyoshi who was deeply inferior to Hideie (Ishida Mitsunari Army), this will clarify the flag.

After all, the Battle of Tokugawa Ieyasu led by the Tokugawa victory, and the Hideya managed to get away from death only by Maeda’s desperate effort and finished with sacrifice to Hachijojima.

After that, To Okayama Castle, Kobayakawa Hidetaki, who went back from the West Army to the East Army at the Sekigahara battle, is enclosed. However, because Hidetako suddenly died young and there was no successor, it will be extinction of the house.

Next Ikeda family, Ikeda family is also a house that is in a relationship by marriage with the Tokugawa family, so it survives the Edo era without anything and they will approach the Meiji Restoration.

[Address,access]
2-3-1 Marunouchi North Ward Okayama City Okayama Prefecture 700-0823

[Map]

[Explanation]
As you can see in Marugame castle, the stone wall is very high and the castle tower has been built. The height of the stone wall is known to be the highest in Japan.

Castle tower itself is a small petite and the smallest guardian in the Mie castle Tower. Inner moat surrounded inner citadel, there was a samurai residence around that, but most of it was demolished in Meiji era.

In the era of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it became the territory of the Ikoma family, the main castle was Takamatsu Castle, and Marugame castle existed as the castle of Takamatsu Castle. Later, during the Edo Period several Daimyo came, but in 1658, the prestigious Kyogoku family of Omi entered in 60 thousand stones and enter the Meiji Restoration.

In Heisei 18th Era (2006), it was selected as “Japan’s No. 78th among Japan’s 100 Great castle”.

As stated above the height of the stone wall is not ordinary. I hesitated too to climb to Inner citadel. However, the view from the castle was a very wonderful landscape. I hope you visit it by all means.

[Address,access]
1 Marugame city, Kagawa prefecture 763 – 0025

[Map]

Ueda castle which Masayuki Sanada built was once destroyed after the battle of Sekigahara in Keichou 5th Year (1600 years), and is being restored by Sanada’s next castle owner Sengoku. This reconstruction work was the one that excavated the burial maot of Ueda castle of Sanada again.

Therefore, it can be seen that the basic plan of reconstruction Ueda castle (territory) is almost the same as when Masayuki Sanada’s foundation was founded. Well, that Ueda castle is located on the terraced cliff where the Chikuma river rises. Both Inner citadel and Outer citadel surrounding it are behind the cliffs and the Chikuma River. Also, Ohbori from Oter citadel North to the west, which was called a hundred drilling, was originally a natural river channel, which was expanded and divided by banks into a large water moat.

And the river which flowed here moved to the north, it bent at right angle in the northwest of the castle and dropped to the Chikuma river. On the eastern side of Outer citadel, outermost region of castle was arranged. This is the major direction of Ueda Castle, but it was divided by a moat in the north and south.

Nobuyuki (Nobuyuki), who succeeded the trace of Masayuki, expanded the town outside this major moat, but Ueda castle in the Masayuki Era had a range surrounded by this moat and Yadesawa river to outermost enclosure of a castle. It is thought that it was a structure that totally took in the castle town inside.
(History group image series Sanada three generations)

[Address,access]
6263 Outer region of the castle, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture (Ueda castle track park)

[Map]

[Explanation]
[Fighting the Tokugawa army twice, the hardcore boasting the iron wall defense system]

In the first battle with the Tokugawa Army in Tensho 13th year (1585), (First Ueda battle), it seems that it was the time to see whether it was completed for the first time, it was only the minimum stance.

However, by the battle of the Keioi 5th Year (the Second Ueda Battle), it was in a form that was maintained as a modern castle, such as arranging a tower at the main points.

It can be implored not only from various situations but also from the excavation situation of gold leaf tiles. Ueda castle is considered to have taken a more solid defense posture by Sanada than Ueda castle after Sengoku reconstruction, even from the uncovered points and others places.

Masayuki Sanada attacked the army of the Tokugawa army twice and rejected it, based on this castle.

[Address,access]
6263, Outer citadel, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
(Ueda castle track park)

[Map]

[Explanation]
Kumamoto Castle is a castle present in Kumamoto city, Kumamoto Prefecture. Another name is Ginnan Castle (Ginnan Jyou).

In the beginning, around 1469 the family of Kikuchi of Higo guardian built a castle. Later, Kikuchi, a guardian of Higo (present: Kumamoto Prefecture) took the castle but conflicted with “Otomo Yoshishige (Sourin)” of Buzen, and since then the co-operative “Chikafuyu castle” was the daimyo castle.

In 1587 (Tensho 15th year), when the Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu, the Oyafuyu’s grandson, Jo Hisamoto who came under Shimazu of Satsuma surrendered the castle and moved to Chikugo country. Hideyoshi designated the Kagamoto castle of Higo as the daimyo “Sasa Narisama” who was a colleague in the Oda administration period.

Narimasa Sasa who newly entered Kumamoto castle forcibly carries out the inspection contrary to the instruction of Hideyoshi, causing a rebellion of the Higo National. At this time Kumamoto Castle suffered a tremor from the public, but Jinbo Ujiharu of the castle keeper protected it, and falling of castle was avoided.

In 1588 (Tensho 16th), Shigemasa was ordered to bear the responsibility of this revolt and was ordered to cut open his belly and commit suicide, replacing him with Kiyomasa Kato became the lord with 195,000 Jewels in Higo’s northern half country and entered Kumamoto castle.

Kiyomasa Kato starts building a new castle in Chausuyama hill where there was Kumamoto castle from 1591 (Tensho 19th year). Castle tower is completed around 1600 (Keicho 5th year), and Higo Ichikuni is the hometown of Battle of Sekigahara and Kiyomasa becomes the lord with 520,000 Jewels.

※ Before the battle of Sekigahara, the Higo Ichikuni was a Konishi Yukinaga’s headquarters, but since Higo was defeated by the West Army, Ichikuni Higo was given to Kato Kiyomasa.

In 1606 (Keicho 11th year) the castle was completed, and the following year “Kumamoto” was changed to “Kumamoto”. This is the current Kumamoto Castle. From 1610 (Keicho 15th year), Inner citadel palace building was done in a form crossing a passage in Inner citadel divided into north and south by a passage.

As a result of this, in order to go up to the castle, we have to go through the underground passage under the Inner citadel palace.

In 1632 (9th year of Kansai), Tadatoshi Hosokawa who was lord of the castle owing to the change of Tadahiro Kato, a child of Kiyomasa, became the lord of Higo with 540,000 Jewels and entered Kumamoto Castle. At this time Tadatoshi climbed up to the castle, and it is told that it worshiped towards the direction of Honmyoji, where there is a shrine to worship Kiyomasa.

In the end of the reign of the Kato family, due to the exhaustion of the clan finances and the house disturbance, the repair of the castle remained. Hosokawa Tadatoshi offers the shogunate repair of Kumamoto castle immediately after entering. This repair is not limited to repairing buildings, as well as addition of Inner citadel, the domain that is currently found is completed in this repair.

※The photo shows the current Kumamoto Castle ” No. 92nd out of Japan 100 Great castle”

[Address,access]
1-1 Inner Citadel Chuo ward, Kumamoto city, Kumamoto Prefecture 860-0002

[Map]

[Explanation]
Maruoka castle existed in Maruoka, Sakai-shi in Fukui Prefecture. It was a flat mountain castle located on top of the hill that was at the East side of Maruoka city. It is also called Kasumiga Castle.

It was built by Katsutoyo Shibata, who was a Nobunaga Oda’s vassal that had moved from Toyoharaji castle.
In 1582 after the incident of Honnnoji, Katsutoyo was moved to Nagahama castle in Omi through the Kiyosu conference, and instead Katsuie appointed Iekiyo Yasuie as the new owner of Maruoka castle.

In 1583 when the battle of Shizugatake occurred after the relationship between Katsuie Shibata and Hideyoshi Toyotomi became worse, Katsuie lost at this war and was killed at Kitanosho castle. After that Echizen became under control of Nagahide Niwa, and Nagahide appointed Munekatsu Aoyama sa the owner of Maruoka castle.

After the death of Nagahide Niwa, Munekatsu Aoyama and his son Tadamoto continued to be vassals of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, keeping the ownership of the territory. In 1600 at the battle of Sekigahara, they supported the West troops (Mitsunari Ishida), had lost the war and the Aoyama family was subject to Kaieki.

Hideyasu Yuki, Ieyasu Tokugawa’s second son, took over Echizen, and Moritsugu Imamura, Hideyasu’s vassal, was given 26 thousand Koku and owned the castle. However in 1612, Moritsugu Imamura was overthrown at the incident of Echizen, and Narishige Honda became the new owner of the castle.

After that, Tadanao Matsudaira, the 2nd lord of Fukui domain, was sent away to Bungo no Kuni due to his inexcusable actions, and Fukui domain had fallen. At the same time, Narishige Honda became independent from Fukui domain and he started Maruoka domain.

In 1695, during Shigemasu’s period, a family incident occurred among the Honda family and they were subject to Kaieki by Bakufu. Kiyozumi Arima then became the owner for 50 thousand Koku, and since then Arima-shi have been the owner until the Meiji restoration. It is estimated that the castle tower was built in Azuchi Momoyama period, and it is registered as national important cultural treasure.

※Maruoka castle is registered 36th in Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
1-59 Maruokacho Kasumicho, Sakai-shi, Fukui 910-0231

[Map]

[Explanation]
Kanazawa castle was located in Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa prefecture. Kaga domain’s Maeda family resided during Edo period, and currently castle ruins is registered as a national historic site.

During Sengoku period, a Buddhist temple called Oyama Gobo existed in the area, and it was the base of the battle of Kaga. Even though it was a temple, there were stone walls and moats, and it was considered as a fortress similar to Honganji temple.

Nobunaga Oda stopped the battle of Kaga, and ordered Morimasa Sakuma to build Kanazawa castle in this area. This castle was built between Asano river and San river that ran through the center of Kanazawa flat field.

After that, Nobunaga was killed by Mitsuhide Akechi at the incident of Honnoji, and Hideyoshi Hashiba (Hideyoshi Toyotomi) defeated Mitsuhide Akechi at the battle of Yamazaki. There were battles among the vassals of Nobunaga to decide the successor, and Hideyoshi Hashiba gained the power. But Katsuie Shibata and Kazumasu Takigawa were not happy about the situation, and Hideyoshi Hashiba was defeated at the battle of Shizugatake.

Hideyoshi Hashiba rose up as the next successor of Nobunaga because of this. Morimasa Sakuma was killed by Hideyoshi since he was a Yoriki (a governmental post in the Edo bakufu) of Katsue Shibata. Hideyoshi handed down Kanazawa castle to Toshiie Maeda, who was his friend and did not fight against him at the battle of Shizugatake.

In 1592 Toshiie started to remodel the castle, building Kuruwa, moat, 5 tiered castle tower, as well as Yagura. In 1587, Kanazawa castle was largely remodeled again by Ukon Takayama, who was invited as a guest by Toshiie after he was subject to kaieki (sudden dismissal and deprivation of position, privileges and properties) due to the edict expelling Jesuit missionaries.

During the period of the 5th lord of Kaga domain, Tsunanori Maeda, Kenroku-en was built next to Kanazawa castle. After that, the Maeda family continued to own the castle until the Meiji restoration. The ruins of Kanazawa castle was demolished except for one part after Meiji period to use the land for military matters.

Current Kanazawa castle is famous for Kenroku-en, which is one of Japan’s 3 greatest gardens.

※35th castle in Japan’s 100 famous castles

[Address,access]
1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa 920-0937

[Map]

[Explanation]
Tsuyama castle was in Tsuyama-shi in Okayama prefecture. The ruins of the castle is registered as a national historic site. The form of the castle is flat mountain castle, and it is one of the three largest flat mountain castles in Japan. It is located in the center of Tsuyama basin, and Miyagawa river which is a branch river of Yoshii river and the natural cliffs of a hill are used as protection.

Yoshii river that runs on the south side of the castle and its branch river, Ida river, that runs on the west side are the outer fence, and inside there is a main part of the castle town. The Tenshu is a 4 tiered 5 story tower, and it is said that its was designed based on the castle tower of Ogura castle.

When Norikiyo Yamano, Shugo Daimyo of Mimasakanokuni (current Okayama prefecture), ordered Tadamasa Yamana to build Kakusan castle was the beginning of Tsuyama castle. However, the castle was destroyed when the Yamana family fell into decline after Onin War. In 1603, Tadamasa Mori moved to Tsuyama from Kawanakajima for 186 thousand Koku, and established Tsuyama domain.

※Tadamasa served Nobunaga at the incident of Honnoji, along with Ranmaru, Bomaru, and Rikimaru.

In the same year, Tadamasa started building Tsuyama castle and changed the name of the place from Kakuzan to Tsuyama. After 13 years, a large modern style castle that had 80 towers including 5 tiered castle tower, Yagura, and gates, was built.

The descendants of Mori-shi continued to die at early an early age, and in 1697, the head of the domain at that time had a mental instability that led to the extinction of the family line. In 1698, Nobutomi Matsudaira (the Echizen family) moved from Echigo Takada domain for 100 thousand Koku, and became the owner of the castle until the Meiji restoration.

Bicchu Yogura has been restored, and it was registered as the 67th castle of Japan’s 100 famous castles. A replicated castle tower was also built temporality and it’s been attracting many tourists in the recent years.

The ruins of the castle is now a park called Kakuzan Park, and it has been famous for cherry blossoms.

※67th of Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
135 Sange, Tsuyama-shi, Okayama 708-0022

[Map]

[Explanation]
There are various stories regarding Temenobu Oura’s birthplace, it is said that he could be a son of Morinobu Oura, or Kuji castle’s owner, Kuji-shi’s son. In the recent years he is considered to be from the Oura family.

In 1571 there was a battle in the Nanbu family between Harumasa Nanbu and Nobunao Ishikawa, and at that time Tamenobu Oura started to expand his power, cutting off the Ishikawa family’s territory in Tsugaru region.

After Harumasa’s death, Harutsugu Nanbu became the head of the family but he died at the age of 14. Because of this, there was a battle within the family to decide the next successor of Harutsugu, and there was a battle between Sanechika Kunohe and Nobunao Ishikawa, and eventually Nobunao Ishikawa became the next successor of the Nanbu family.

At that time Tamenobu Oura was considered as an enemy because he was supporting the Kunohe side, and he was becoming isolated. Tamenobu started to expand his power in Tsugaru region when the Kunohe family and Nobunao Nanbe were fighting against each other.

At that time Hideyoshi Toyotomi was in midst of the unification of the country, and Tamenobu tried to be close to Hideyoshi Toyotomi by going through Mitsunari Ishida and even though he went through many obstacles he successfully managed to become close to him.

In 1590 Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s siege of Odawara started, and Tamenobu received an audience by Hideyoshi, receiving the certificates of Shoryo Ando (acts providing authorization for land ownership and guaranteeing feudal tenure).

He then became Daimyo who was independent from Nanbu-shi, and changed his name from Tamenobu Oura to Tamenobu Tsugaru. In 1594, Tamenobu built Horikoshi castle and moved there from Oura castle, but decided to built another castle in Takaoka (current Hirosaki castle) because it was not suited for military matters.

In 1600 when he decided to be on the East troops (Tokugawa side) at the battle of Sekigahara, he received 2 thousand Koku from Ieyasu Tokugawa, and Hirosaki domain was established. At Hirosaki castle, only Honmaru is made with stone walls and other constructions including Kuruwa was made from Dorui. The castle tower was 5 tiered initially but it was burnt down by a lightening.

The current Tenshu was built when Honmaru’s Tatsumi Yagura was remodeled at the end of Edo period.

■ The remodeling of Hirosaki castle’s stone walls was started for the first time in 100 years
http://youtu.be/Fz80xhGsCe4

In 2014 after Hirosaki’s cherry blossom festival ended, the remodeling of the stone walls in Hirosaki castle had started. Hirosaki castle Tenshu is being moved 70m towards north west from its current position, using Hiyaki method, without being dismantled.

Hiyaki started in the summer of 2015, and it will take at least 5 years to be finished. The remodeling happened first time in 100 years, and this remodeling of 3 tiered important cultural treasure is considered very rare in the whole country.

[Address,access]
1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori 036-8356

[Map]

Gifu castle was destroyed by Ieyasu Tokugawa at the preliminary skirmish of the battle of Sekigahara- Part 3

[Explanation]
In 1600, Hidenobu Oda, the owner of Gifu castle became a part of the West troops of Mitsunari Ishida’s army (the battle of Sekigahara). He barricaded himself at Gifu castle during the preliminary skirmish of the battle of Sekigahara, but it was attacked and destroyed by Masanori Fukushima and Terumasa Ikeda’s east troops. Hidenobu tried to commit suicide with his brother Hidenori, but after Terumasa’s persuasion he surrendered.

After the surrender, he was exiled to mount Koya but eventually he was exiled from mount Koya as well. On May 8th 1605, he died at the age of 26 in Mino province.

※Hidenobu’s descendant still continues in Mino province.

In 1601, Ieyasu Tokugawa decided to demolish Gifu castle and gave his daughter’s husband, Nobumasa Okudaira, 100 thousand Koku and made him build a castle. This was the beginning of Kano domain. After that Kano domain continued to Okubo-shi, Toda-shi, and Ando-shi, and then to Nagai-shi until the Meiji restoration.

※The picture shows the ruins of Kano castle.

On the other hand, Gifu castle stayed destroyed. Looking from Kyoto, Gifu castle was at the east side, and it was known to be an impregnable castle but it actually had been attacked a number of times. It was a typical mountain castle, and was unsuitable for long term kojo battles during the late Sengoku period.

During Azuchi Momoyama period, there was a palace called Tenshu at the foot of Gifu castle, and there was a moat with stone walls on the both sides of the path to the palace. This palace was Nanban style, and it was a beautiful four story palace. The ruins of the palace is now a part of Gifu park, and excavations still continue. The Tenshu is a 3 tiered 4 story replica made with concrete.

※Gifu castle was registered as the 39th castle of Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
18 Tenshukaku, Kinkasan, Gifu-shi, Gifu 500-0000

[Map]

Gifu Castle: Gifu Castle was a castle that the owner continued to change after Nobunaga and Nobutada Oda were killed at the incident of Honnoji temple – Part 2

[Explanation]
Based in Mino, Nobunaga continued to fight against Asai family in the Northern Omi, the Asakura family in Echizen, gradually conquered Omi, Echizen, and Kinki region, and gained control over Settsu province after conquering Honganji temple. Then he aimed to achieve the unification of the whole country, putting military commanders in various regions.

Below are the military commanders in each region.

Hokuriku region – Katsuie Shibata
Kanto region – Kazumasu Takigawa
Chugoku region – Hideyoshi Hashiba
Kinki region – Mitsuhide Akechi
Shikoku region – Nobutaka Kanbe

In 1576 Nobutada, Nobunaga’s legitimate son, became the owner of Gifu castle, and Nobunaga passed over Mino and Obari to Nobutada. Nobunaga built and moved to Azuchi Castle in Omi. But on June 2nd 1582, Nobunaga and Nobutada were murdered by Mitsuhide Akechi at the incident of Honnoji temple. Mitsuhide Akechi was then murdered by Hideyoshi Hashiba.

On June 27th of the same year, Nobutaka Kanbe received Mino province through Kiyosu conference, and he became the owner of Gifu castle and the conservator of Nobutada’s legitimate son, Sanboshi.

In April 1583, Nobutaka cooperated and raised an army with Kazumasu Takigawa, the owner of Nagashima Castle, to fight against Hideyoshi Hashiba who was becoming Tenka-bito (people who controlled the country). But Katsuie Shibata lost at the battle of Shizugatake, and Nobutaka’s older brother, Nobukatsu, had surrounded Gifu castle which led Nobutaka to surrender. After that Nobutaka was forced to Seppuku.

In May of the same year, when Tsuneoki Ikeda became the owner of Ogaki castle after receiving 130 thousand Koku from Hideyoshi, his legitimate son, Motosuke Ikeda became the owner of Gifu castle. In 1584, Tsuneoki and Motosuke Ikeda were murdered at the battle of Komaki and Nagakute (the battle between Hideyoshi Hashiba and Ieyasu Tokugawa cooperating with Nobukatsu Oda), and Gifu castle became the residence of Terumasa Ikeda, Tsuneoki’s second son.

In April 1591, Hidekatsu Toyotomi, Nobunaga’s son and Hideyoshi’s adopted son, became the owner of Gifu castle after Terumasa Ikeda due to Hideyoshi’s order. On September 9th 1592, after Hidekatsu passed away, Hidenobu Oda became the owner after receiving Gifu 130 thousand Koku. Hideyoshi was Hidenobu Oda’s conservator but he was becoming Tenka-bito at that time.

※As stated Gifu castle’s owner continued to change, but at this time it was owned by the Oda family again.

※Gifu castle is registered 39th in Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
18 Tenshukaku, Kinkasan, Gifu-shi, Gifu 500-0000

[Map]

[Description]
Gifu-jo Castle is a mountain castle located on Mt. Kinkazan in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, where the current Kinkazayama was called Inokuchi Inabayama, Mino Province, and it was newly constructed by renovating the territory of Inabayama-jo Castle, which Nobunaga ODA seized from Saito Tatsuoki (grandson of Saito Dosan).

In 1201, the government of Nikaido built a fort on Mt. Inaiba, and then the daughter of the government, the Son-in-law SATO, became the lord of the castle, and the younger brother of Iga Mitsumune Gwangjong of Goryeo, Mitsusuke INABA, became the castella, and after that, the castle became a castle, and the Shugodai [Saito Toshinaga], a shugodai (deputy military governor) of Mino Province, repaired the castle in the middle of the 1500 s.

In 1525, Ujiie NAGAI, a vassal of the Saito clan, and “Chozaemon NAGAI no jo” (New Lieutenant of the Left Division of Outer Palace Guards) raised a rebellion and attacked Inabayama-jo Castle, and after the death of the New Saemon no jo (third ranked officer of the Left Division of Outer Palace Guards), the son “Nagai Shinkuro Norihide (Saito Dosan)” succeeded to the throne and became the lord of the castle, after the death of the new Saemon no jo (the third ranked officer of the Left Division of Outer Palace Guards), the fifth Hiroshi Cho (). 9.

* There are various theories.

In 1539, Saito Dosan began to build a full-scale mountain fortress on Mt. Otabayama, and after a few years, he expelled Toki Yorinari, a Shugo (provincial constable) of Mino Province, and in 1554, he named’ Saito Yoshitatsu,’ the head of the family,’,’ who was the head of the family ; however, Road 3 was defeated by his legitimate child, Yoshitatsu, in “Battle of Nagara,” and he died in “Battle of Nagara River” by his legitimate child, Yoshitatsu, in. 8 23 3.

* In general, it is said that he killed Road 3 because his father was’ Toki Yorinari.’.

After that, due to the sudden death of Yoshitatsu, Saito Tatsuoki took over as the head of the family at the age of 13, and in February 1564, “Takenaka Shigeharu (Takenaka Hanbee),” who was a vassal of the Saito clan, rebelled against Ryuoki, and he attacked the castle and attacked Inayama-jo Castle, and he, who had no lack of ambition, returned the castle to Ryuko, which led to the repentance of the castle, which he had not no ambition for about half a year about half a year ago, because the Emperor, who had been a vassal of the Saito clan, returned to Ryuoki Castle for about half a year, which encouraged him to revisit the castle in order to encourage the Emperor Ando Morinari. 7.

In September 1567, Nobunaga ODA, who had been aiming for the invasion of Mino Province, succeeded in capturing Inabayama-jo Castle by the internal stress of’ Nishimino 3 ninshu (ininaba, Ando Morinari, Ujiie UJIIE)’ in the “Nishimino ninshu shu.” 10.

On the other hand, Ryuoki fled to Ise Nagashima, and in the future, he began to resist Nobunaga, and he later died of a battle with his vassal when Nobunaga attacked Echizen-Asakura, Nobunaga moved to Mount Komaki Castle when he dropped Inabayama-jo Castle, and in ancient, he changed the names of the names of the castle and town by changing the name of’ Gifu’ to’ Gifu.’ King Wen of Zhou.

From around this time, Nobunaga began to use “Tenin” (a seal) of “Tenbu Fubu” (literally, “great faith in the whole country”), and began to aim for the unification of the whole country in earnest.

*Image of Nobunaga ODA in front of Gifu Station

*Gifu Castle is designated as Japan’s one hundredth best castle, 39.

[Access, access]
18 Tenshukaku Tenshukaku, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture 500 – 0000 Gifu Prefecture

[Map]

[Description]
Matsuyama Castle is a castle located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and is also known as Kinki Katsuyama Castle (Katsuyama Jojo), and it is also counted as’ Nihon 3 Mt. Obira Castle’. It is also known as’ Iyo Matsuyama Castle’ because it is one of the 12 castles located at the top of the mountain and distinguished from Matsuyama Castle in various places.

In 1602, the lord of Masaki Castle, Iyo Province (Matsumae), the lord of Castle (Matsumae), was increased from 10 koku to 20 koku in the battle of Sekigahara, and his vassal, “Adachi Shigenobu,” was appointed as a castle fushin bugyo (magistrate of the castle), and he began to construct a castle of the Hirayama style, and the place named’ Matsuyama’ was called’ Matsuyama,’ and the place name Matsuyama was officially established in this area, called’ Matsuyama.’ 7 Kato Yoshiaki.

However, in 1627, when Yoshiaki was transferred to the Aizu Domain, he changed to the position of’ Gamo Tadatomo (grandchild of Gamo Ujisato),’ and in August 1634, Tadatomo died suddenly in the middle of his life as a feudal lord, and in August, the lord of the Gamo clan, the lord of the Kamo-jo Castle, died on the way of Matsuyama Castle as the lord of the Gamo family, Tai Kato Okio, died of the sudden death of Tadatomo in September 11. 4 24.

In July 1635,’ Matsudaira Sadayuki’ entered into the territory with 15 koku, and the Matsudaira family ruled this area until the Meiji Restoration, and in the northern part of Honmaru on the top of the mountain, there were Tenshu Kuruwa, a tenshu (a castle tower), and Mahadeva no kami, small tenshu, Minamiumi yagura, Kita corner yagura were connected by 3 crossing corridors, and a coalition tower was made of a 12 way tenshu.

At present, the main part of the castle ruins has been maintained as a park, and 21 buildings including the tenshu have already existed, and each national important cultural property is designated as a national historic site, and the castle canopy is designated as a national historic site.

*Iyomatsuyama Castle was selected as the one hundredth best castle in Japan (81).

[Address,access]
1 Marunochi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture 790 – 0008

[Map]

[Description]
Takato Castle is a castle located in Takato-cho, Inashi, Nagano Prefecture, and it is famous as a famous spot for cherry blossoms, and it has been designated as a historic site of the country. The Takato Castle in the Sengoku period was a residence of the Suwa clan, but it opposed the family head of the Suwa clan, “Suwa Yorishige,” and in 1541, Yoritsugu joined forces with Harunobu TAKEDA (Shingen) of Kai Province. 10.

The Suwa clan was defeated by Harunobu, but after that, Harunobu and Yoritsugu conflicted over the territory of the Suwa clan, and in April 1545 Harunobu attacked Takato Castle and Yorichika FUJISAWA, and destroyed them, making them a base for the conquest of Ina region, and the Takato Castle became a base for the conquest of the Ina region, and in 1547, he made a large-scale reconstruction by’ Yamamoto Kansuke’ and’ Akiyama Nobutomo’ (a senior vassal) of the Ashigaru no daisho (a senior vassal of the Imperial Palace) in. (From Koyo Naval Battleship). 14 16 Fukuyo.

In 1555, Harunobu defeated the Ogasawara clan and the Chiku clan, and he also conquered the Kiso clan, and in 1556, Akiharu Nobutomo was appointed as the lord of Takato Castle, and in 1562, the illegitimate child “Katsuyori TAKEDA (mother of the Suwa family)” inherited the family, and in, the illegitimate child of Harunobu, “Katsuyori (my mother came from the Suwa family), succeeded the family of the Suwa family, and Nobutomo, the lord of the Takato Castle, became the lord of Iida Castle.” 2 5
Takato Castle Shinano-Taira.

When Yoshinobu, who was the legitimate son of the Takeda family, was disinherited in 1570, Katsuyori became the successor of Shingen (Harunobu HARUNOBU), and he returned to the headquarters of the Takeda family, Azalea, the head of the Takeda family, and the lord of Takato Castle became the head of Shingen, and on April 12, 1573, Shingen died of the Battle of Nishikami, and on April 21, 1575, Katsuyori suffered a major defeat in the Battle of Nagashino, and Katsuyori was defeated in the Battle of Nagashino in the Battle of Nagashino, and on May,, Katsuyori was defeated in the Battle of Nagashino by Katsuyori and. On May, he was defeated in the Battle of Katsuyori. Katsuyori was defeated in the Battle of Nagashino. 4 20 3 Takeda Nobukado?

After the defeat, the management of Takeda territory began, and in 1581, the Fuchu transfer of the Fuchu transfer to Nirasaki was decided, and the younger paternal half-brother, “Nishina Morinobu,” was appointed as the lord of Takato Castle, and in 1582, Katsuyori fought against Nobunaga ODA, and in, Katsuyori fought against Nobunaga ODA, but in February of the same year, he began to attack Nobunaga ODA, and in February of the same year, he made a full-scale attack against Nobunaga ODA, and in February,, he attacked Nobunaga ODA and made Nobunaga ODA attack on the Takato Castle. 9 10 50000.

There were over 3000 soldiers in Takato Castle, and Nobunobu opposed Nobutada’s surrender, but Takato Castle was crushed, and Nobunobu was killed in the siege of the castle, and the Oda forces attacked from the side of Ina, the Oda forces were defeated from the Ina area by the downfall of Takato Castle, the Oda clan was attacked by the lord of the Takato Castle, “Kiso Yoshimasa,” who was a former retainer of the Takeda family, and the former retainers of the Takeda family attacked and occupied them after 3 months of their attack. Takato Castle.

After that, Takato Castle became a stage for the battle between Ieyasu TOKUGAWA and Kiso Yoshimasa, but after the death of Nobunaga, Yoshimasa became Yoriki’s yoriki, and when Ieyasu moved to the Kanto region, Yoshimasa received 1 koku (10,000 koku) from Achi Door (present-day Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture), and in the Edo period, when the Takato Castle became a domain office of the Shimosa Province, it became a domain office of the Takato clan and the Hoshina clan and the Torii clan and the Torii clan were replaced by the lord of the castle.

In 1691,’ Naito Kiyokazu’ entered Takato Castle with 30003 koku, and after that, the Meiji Restoration came to be the fourth of the 8 generations of the Naito clan, and on April 6, 2006 Takato Castle was selected as the thirtieth name of 100 Castles in Japan (castles). 2006.

[Address, access]
2295 Inashi Takatomachi Higashitakato, Nagano Prefecture, 396 – 0211

[Map]

[Description]
After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Bingo Fukuyama Castle was established after the Battle of Sekigahara, and after that, it was built in the period when the Tokugawa rule became a stone through the’ Osaka camp’, and in the 8th year Genna era (1622), Mizuno Katsushige, a fudai daimyo (a daimyo in hereditary vassal to the Tokugawa shogunate), entered the castle as the lord of Fukuyama Domain with 10 koku, and at the same time, he began to build the castle in

Fukuyama Castle is said to have been a very gorgeous structure as a mountain layer of the castle wall, and as the whole nation has been subdued, it was sealed by the Mizuno family as a control against the domains of Saigoku, and after that, Fukuyama Castle was replaced by Abe family from the Mizuno family, and the lord of the castle, instead of the Abe family, came to the Meiji Restoration.

At the end of the Edo period, Fukuyama Castle, a fudai daimyo (a daimyo of hereditary vassal to the Tokugawa shogunate), had been attacked by the Choshu army, and a portion of the castle disappeared, and the 2 existing turrets and gates were designated national important cultural properties (Fushimiyagura and Sujiteki-gokado), and at present, it was designated as a national historic site (Fushimiyagura, Sujiteki-gokado), and it was also selected as a national historic site, and many tourists visited the castle in the seventy first place of the 100 castles.

[Address access]
720 Marunochi, Fukuyama City, Fukuyama City, Fukuyama city 1-8, 0061

[Map]

[Description]
Hiroshima Castle, a castle built by Terumoto Mori in Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, was built in Nakasu, Otagawa, which flows into Hiroshima Bay. Considering the importance of trade and transportation from the sea, and it was relocated from the typical Kōriyama Castle, a mountain castle that Motonari Mori had been based for many years.

The castle also existed as Mahadeva no kami (the Governor of the Palace Guards) and Koten no mori (the governor of Kotenshu), and it was a castle of the rank that was suitable for the generations of the Mori family, but Terumoto was appointed as the commander of the West squad by Mitsunari Ishida during the Battle of Sekigahara, and during the battle, Hideyori Toyotomi was buried in the Siege of Osaka Castle, where Hideyori Toyotomi had been defeated, and Ieyasu headed for Osaka-jo Castle.

On the other hand, Terumoto was pressured to leave the castle by Ieyasu and returned to Hiroshima, and after that, Ieyasu’s award of merit was given to him, and the Mori family was removed from 1,200,000 koku to 20,000 koku, and the family was removed from the territory to 360,000 koku, and the salary of the vassals was reduced to 1/4, and the home ground was moved from Hiroshima to Hagi.

After the Mori family came back, the battle of Sekigahara was held in Hiroshima, where the battle of Sekigahara was fought, and Masanori had a family name on the Tokugawa side in’ Osaka no Jin’ (The Siege of Osaka), which broke out in Keichou Era 19th year (in 1614) and in Keichou Era 20th year (in 1615). The Toyotomi regime that Toyotomi Hideyoshi built up here will disappear

After that, Ieyasu handed over the head of the family to Hidetada, who succeeded to the throne, and Hidetada was appointed as Seii Taishogun (literally, “great general who subdues the barbarians”), but it remained stubbornly broken by the Tokugawa family, and Masanori submitted a notification to the Shogunate to repair the Hiroshima Castle, but he did not know anything about it, but he did the construction of the castle without knowing it somehow.

As a result of this, the Fukushima family had been removed from the Hiroshima Castle and decided to withdraw from the castle to Kawanakajima 45,000 koku. Masanori was said to have abandoned everything and did not resist the shogunate side, and it is said that “there is no loan to Hidetada in order to lend it to the shogunate,” and it is said that “there is no way to lend money to the Ieyasu public,” but it is said that it is actually close to the kaieki (forfeit of a fief) in order to transfer it to Kawanakajima.

The Asano family was entered into the Hiroshima Castle after the Fukushima family moved out of order, and the Meiji era immediately came to an end, and the current Hiroshima Castle Tenshu (the castle tower) had disappeared during the war, and it was a restored Tenshu by reinforced concrete, and Hiroshima Castle was selected as the “73rd famous castle of Japan’s 100 castles”.

[Address, access]
21-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima 730 – 0011

[Map]

[Description]
The history of Edo-jo Castle was far older than the Sengoku period, and it is said that it was built by the Edo clan during the Edo period from the Heian period to the Kamakura period, and with the collapse of the Edo clan, the castle repair was carried out by the vassal of the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi clan, and it is said that the castle was not as splendid at one time, but it was a Hirayama castle surrounded by a marsh and a meadow.

Because the coastline was more inland than today, the castle side of Edo-jo Castle was immediately located off Shinagawa coast (Tokyo Bay), and Ota Dokan, the lord of the Edo-jo Castle, was killed by Sadamasa Uesugi. Eventually it temporarily became a castle of the Uesugi family, but after that, it was attacked by Hojo Ujitsuna and Hojo Ujiyasu parent and child. Since then as a castle of Hojo clan, it eventually became a stronghold of the Kanto region.

When the Hojo clan conquered Kanto region, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who became a successor of Nobunaga ODA in the center, implemented the Conquest of Hojo (Conquest of Odawara) as a whole of the unification of the whole country, and it is said that the military forces mobilized by the Hojo clan were about 200,000 soldiers, and the troops of the Hojo clan is set to about 80,000 even with formal and agricultural forces combined. In the battle of Hojo, while the Hojo clan finally surrendered to Hideyoshi, the former territories were awarded to “Ieyasu Tokugawa”.

Ieyasu, who was ordered to transfer to Kanto region, established his base as’ Edo,’ and after the death of Hideyoshi, he carried out major renovations of the castle, and in this large-scale renovation, daimyos throughout the country carried out the construction of the castle with his own funds and supplies, and in this way, the Edo-jo Castle was transformed into a modern castle building in the Edo Castle, which became a base for the nationwide control of the Tokugawa Castle in 250.

The Tokugawa family, who had been in power for a long time, was forced to enter the port and open country due to the arrival of Commodore PERRY and invasion of Japan by foreign countries at the end of the Edo period, and the backbone of the Tokugawa family had already been shaken, and after the battle of the Tokugawa Domain, Choshu Domain, Tosa Domain (Geishu Domain : Hiroshima Domain), it became a modern country from the’ Battle of Toba-Fushimi’ to the’ Hakodate Goryokaku’ (Battle of Hakodate).

* At this time, the Imperial Family moved the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo, and Tokyo became a central city in Japan.

The Tenshu of the Edo-jo Castle had already disappeared due to a large fire, and the “Fujimi Yagura” was used as a substitute for Tenshu, and the remaining buildings still remained in “Fushimi-yagura”, “Nijyu-bashi Bridge,” “Sakuradamon,” “Shimizu Gate,” and “Tayasu Gate,”. Edo Castle has been selected as “National Designated Historic Site” and “21st famous castle of Japan’s 100 National Castles”, and many people are crowded with walks around Kitinomaru Park and the Imperial Palace.

[Address access]
Chiyoda 1-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 – 8111

[Map]