Takatome Castle

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Takatome4.jpg

History

The castle was built around 1492-1500 as the main castle of the Nagano Clan. They may have been using Matsuyama Castle (Gunma) partway up the same mountain as their home castle before building Takatome Castle. Takatome Castle became a branch fortification of Minowa Castle after it was constructed. As one of the castles along the borderlands between the Takeda and Nagano, Takatome Castle was a vital fortification for Minowa Castle and was involved in multiple skirmishes. The castle fell when it was cutoff form Minowa Castle in 1566 by Takeda forces. Minnow Castle also fell shortly thereafter.


Visit Notes

There are 2 easy ways into the castle. The first is via the Otemon. Check the location of the Otemon Photo to find the road to take you there. The second is via the Karametemon. If you are going by bus, the easiest way is to walk to the Otemon and you can visit Matsuyama Castle (Gunma) along the way. There are no signs or maps on site. it is best to take a map if you can find one. The books 群馬の城三◯選 and 境目の城と館(上野編) have good maps. Even though these photos don't do it justice this was a fascinating site to visit. Each of the main baileys is well preserved and the huge horikiri trenches are something to behold.

Bus Schedule
バスで行く場合は多分大手口が最もわかりやすいでしょう。私は入り口を探して稲荷神社を見てから搦手まで行って入りました。現場では地図や説明板がないので自分の地図を持って行った方がいいでしょう。群馬の城三◯選境目の城と館(上野編)にはいい地図が載っています。写真ではよく見えないかもしれませんが、ここは実に面白い城跡でした。深い堀切と見事な切岸は見応えがあり、遺構はしっかり残っています。


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Gallery
  • Earthen bridge of the rear entrance
  • Earthen bridge of the rear entrance
  • Inari Shrine dedicated to the legend of a white fox that protected the castle.
  • Trench near the Inari Shrine on the east side.
  • Long tatebori trench on the east side of the castle
  • Tatebori trench near the Karamete entrance
  • Bailey (koshiguruwa) along the west side
  • Large trench (horikiri) behind the fifth bailey
  • Large trench (horikiri) behind the fifth bailey
  • Fifth Bailey
  • Looking from the #5 to bailey to the #14
  • Karamete entrance seen from the Fifth Bailey
  • Side bailey (obikuruwa)
  • Horikiri trench between the fourth and fifth baileys
  • Fourth bailey
  • Looking from the fourth to bailey to the main bailey
  • Embankment on the left before the Main Bailey
  • Embankment on the left
  • Side bailey (koshiguruwa) off the main bailey
  • Side bailey (koshiguruwa)
  • Main Bailey
  • Main Bailey
  • Large horikiri trench between the Main Bailey and the second bailey
  • Second Bailey
  • View of the Main Bailey, trench and side bailey from the Second Bailey
  • Looking up from one of the lower side baileys (koshiguruwa)
  • Horikiri trench between the Second and Third Baileys
  • Third Bailey
  • Terraced side baileys (koshiguruwa) out the end of the Third Bailey
  • Horikiri trench between the Second and Third Baileys
  • One of the terraced side baileys (koshiguruwa) off the main bailey
  • Otemon Entrance and large vertical trenches (tatebori)


Castle Profile
English Name Takatome Castle
Japanese Name 鷹留城
Founder Nagano Narihisa
Year Founded 1492-1500
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Takasaki Sta. (Takasaki Line), 30 min bus for Haruna get off at Shimomuroda Shogakkoumae, 25 min walk to the Otemon trail
Visitor Information Mountains, open any time; not recommended in summer
Time Required 75 mins
Website http://www.city.takasaki.gunma.jp/docs/2013121701099/
Location Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 23' 39.73" N, 138° 53' 24.18" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2017
Admin Year Visited 2017
Admin Visits November 24, 2017


2.00
(one vote)
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avatar

EricShogun

73 months ago
Score 0++
That's pretty hardcore. I wouldn't expect many people to visit here unless they lived nearby. From your description, I think we took the same course to get there and back again. There was supposedly another trail up through some houses and a field to get there too but once into the mountain, the trail was so overgrown I couldn't go on and had to turn around and go by Yaseoiinaka Shrine and back up through the Karamete entrance.