Hime Castle (Chikuma)

History

Himejō in Chikuma was a branch fortification of nearby Nishijō. See Nishijou Castle and Iinawa Castle for more information.

Visit Notes

To get to Chikuma-Himejō I went up the slope directly until I came across a trail which took me the rest of the way. The site of this yamajiro (mountaintop castle) is now that of a pylon. It may seem that there are no ruins, but approaching from below it looks like dorui (earthen ramparts) surrounding a bailey. The peak has been carved (kirigishi) and rendered steep. Beneath the ramparts is a narrow lip like a ring bailey. In the middle of the ramparts where the trail runs is a gap which may have been the site of a gate. Beneath here is what looks like a climbing trench. All of these features are better appreciated approaching from below from the direction of the Yamanokami Nature Park. I could not discern much on the otherside of the fort. The contours of the fort may have eroded with time or been disturbed when the pylon was constructed. This site is quite minor and should probably only be visited (if at all) as part of a wider exploration of the Iinawajō complex of fortifications. Himejō is definitely the type of site where the effort is its own reward .

Gallery

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Castle Profile
English Name	Chikuma Hime Castle
Japanese Name	筑摩姫城
Founder	Ogasawara Clan
Year Founded	Sengoku Period
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Kuruwa, Hori, Obikuruwa, Dorui, Kirigishi, Tatebori
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shiojiri Station on the Chūō Main Line; 60 minute walk to trail head, or descent from Nishijōjō
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	20 minutes
Location	Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 5' 0.28" N, 137° 57' 37.66" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2021
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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