Hirai Castle

History

In 1438 Uesugi Norizane was the Kanto Kanrei (governor of the Kanto provinces directly under the Ashikaga Shogun). When discord erupted between him and the Ashikaga he fled to the Kozuke region and built Hirai Kanayama Castle . In 1467, when the Onin War broke out, Uesugi Akisada established a new castle, Hirai Castle, from which the Uesugi would continue to govern until they were defeated by the Hojo in 1552.

Hirai Castle and the Uesugi domain was in a very strategic location with good access to the Kamakura Highway. During these uncertain times time they fortified their lands with over 40 castles and forts. At it's peak, under Uesugi Akisada, Hirai rivaled Kamakura behind only Kyoto in terms of prosperity.

Visit Notes

There are very few busses from the station to the castle so please check the bus schedule carefully. For this trip I got off at the Hino Elementary School (日野小学校前) to visit Hirai Kanayama Castle and then walked to Hirai Castle where I got the bus back to the train station.

There are very few remains left to see here, but if you combine it with a visit to Hirai Kanayama Castle (a short walk away) it makes a worthy day trip. In front of the Yashima Shouten Mae (矢島商店前) bus stop there is also a small volunteer run visitor center (I think it's their house) and the proprietors will happily give you maps and materials about the castle. The man's father was one of the main people who surveyed Hirai Kanayama Castle.

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Gallery

Embankment of the central bailey
Atop the embankment
Earthen embankment
Earthen embankment
Central Bailey
Central Bailey
Central Bailey
Monument to the Uesugi
Ninomaru Bailey
Ninomaru Bailey
Hirai Kanayama Castle is the distant peak
Takayama Castle seen rom the Honmaru
Moat and bridge
Moat and bridge to the central bailey
Bridge
Part of a tatebori trench
Part of the Honmaru Bailey
Sannomaru Bailey, mostly residential neighborhood
Map
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Hirai Castle
Japanese Name	平井城
Founder	Uesugi Akisada
Year Founded	1467
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Gunma Fujioka Sta (Hachiko Line); 20 min bus (Kamidaira bus to Yashima Shouten Mae)
Visitor Information	park, open any time
Time Required	20 mins
Website	http://www.city.fujioka.gunma.jp/kakuka/f bunkazai/horaizyouato.html
Location	Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 13' 9.23" N, 139° 1' 47.50" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2017
Admin Year Visited	2017
Admin Visits	April 15, 2017

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