Omi Castle

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Omijou (23).JPG

History


Visit Notes

Omijō is a simple yamajiro (mountaintop castle) straddling a narrow ridge. Baileys are perforated by trenches which create barriers in the ridge. The main bailey is the largest enclosure out of four. There are some sub-baileys between the third and fourth baileys, as well as trenches, but these are difficult to distinguish from the ridge. Further beyond the fourth bailey may have been a signal tower. The main bailey is located further down the the ridge, not further up. Beneath the main bailey the mountain slope has been terraced into half a dozen bands.

The way to this ruin was long but interesting. Firstly I descended from Omifurujō which is located lower down the mountain and much easier to reach. I came to a narrow path with a hornet's nest guarding it. After observing the hornets for a while I gingerly tip-toed past, already reluctant about the return journey. Thereafter I was treated to terraced fields with mouldering stone walls. The stonework could've been Edo Period but not related to the castle. It was interesting nonetheless. Perhaps mulberry trees were cultivated here. From this area I took a path to the ridge with the ruins on. I followed the ruins down the ridge and decided to keep on going down from there, rather than go back and face the hornets. This took me on a hike over beautiful rocky ridges. As is often the case, however, getting off of the ridge was tricky, as the mountain plunged down in a series of cliffs. I was able to find my way down "with cat-like tread" and eventually made it back to civilisation after fording a small river by way of throwing rocks in to use as stepping stones.




Gallery


Castle Profile
English Name Omi Castle
Japanese Name 麻績城
Founder Hattori Clan
Year Founded Medieval Times
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Artifacts Horikiri, Kuruwa, Terracing
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Hijirikougen Station on the Shinonoi Line; 10 minute walk to trailhead
Visitor Information Free; 24/7; mountain
Time Required 30 minutes
Location Omi, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 28' 4.08" N, 138° 2' 42.32" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2020
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


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