Takayama Castle (Chikuma)

History

Takayamajō was built as a fortified signal tower by Inukai Hanzaemon under the command of the Ogasawara Clan, nominal rulers of Shinano Province. From here messages by fire and smoke were relayed to Chikuma Takasu Castle on the plain below. This was critical during the Battle of Shiojiri Pass in 1548.

Visit Notes

Castle of the Goatelope. At the ruins of Takayama Castle I saw Kamoshika (Japanese Serow, or "Goatelope"). Although often seen alone, these two were a couple, and I've also seen a small family of them - that was at Hayashiôjō. I'd just made it to a terraced area of the lower slopes of the castle mount when I came across them. Running to high ground they watched me for about ten minutes as I slowly made my way up the mountainside. I was able to get within 10m of them. And, in fact, they were standing on the narrow path I needed to take to get to the castle's main bailey. I equipped a stick in the event that they would try to stop me from assaulting the main bailey, perhaps by butting me off the edge of the cliff, but when I was about level with them and only a narrow game trail across a precipice separated us, one - I think the male - made a sharp bleating noise, which presumably meant "scarper!" and they both leapt off into the forest. Takayamajō's ruins consist of trenches, earth-piled embankments, terracing and a flattened area at the top of a small mountain which was the main bailey.

Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Chikuma Takayama Castle
Japanese Name	筑摩高山城
Founder	Inukai Hanzaemon
Year Founded	Sengoku Period
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Kuruwa, Koshikuruwa, Karabori
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shiojiri Station on the Chuo Main Line; 50 minute walk
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	45 minutes
Location	Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 6' 52.56" N, 137° 58' 59.84" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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