Shioda Nishi Fort

History

Visit Notes

I have grouped the Nishi-toride (West Fort) of Shiodajō with the slightly higher elevated middle fort branch of the Upper Castle since they're on the same ridge and the elevation difference between this ridge and the Upper Castle is stark. The Nishi-toride proper is made up of three baileys separated by earthen walls carved from the ridge. The shukuruwa (main bailey) is at the rear and top, with the second and third baileys sequentially below. At the rear of the shukuruwa is a yaguradai (platform for turret) which appears to simply be a large boulder. Here the line of the ridge climbs up narrow and rocky. After some climbing one reaches the middle forts, which are a series of very small baileys on rocky peaks with depressions between them. To climb this section one needs to be prepared to grapple with ropes and rocks, risking dangerous drops.

I was in a wonderland of moss and boulders. Nature here is very beautiful. The sun was out and there were butterflies around me. I felt like a very ugly Disney princess in a mystical place. The moss covering the rocks was thick and lush, and upon one floating slab of moss-drenched rock grew a tiny tree; it looked for all the world like nature itself had contrived a beautiful bonsai arrangement. There were many such arrangements up and down the ridge. I followed the ridge up to the Kōbōyama-toride, otherwise known as the Upper Castle of Shiodajō.

Gallery

Bailey from below
Bailey

Castle Profile
English Name	Shiodajou Nishi Fort
Japanese Name	塩田城西砦
Alternate Names	West Fort Group & Middle Fort Group
Founder	Hōjō Yoshimasa
Year Founded	1277
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Kuruwa, Horikiri, Yaguradai
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shiodamachi Station on the Besshō Line; 35 minute walk to trail head
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	30 minutes
Location	Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 20' 19.18" N, 138° 11' 38.54" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2022
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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