History
The original Hitoyoshi Castle was founded by Sagara Nagayori in 1198. From this time, the Sagara made Hitoyoshi their home for 35 generations. The first evidence of a Sengoku Period castle appears in 1470 when Sagara Tametsugu was lord. In 1589 Sagara Nagatsune began a large scale renovation of the castle. The baileys and main structures were completed in 1601 and the stone walls were completed in 1644. An interesting feature of this castle is that it made use of the Kumagawa River as the outer moat and built in many boat landings to increase water traffic and trade. The castle was dismantled in 1872 and only the stone walls remain. Recent reconstruction efforts have rebuilt two yagura and a gate.
Visit Notes
Extensive ruins. Hitoyoshi Castle has a nice combination of buildings and stone walls for any castle fan.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Hitoyoshi Castle |
| Japanese Name | 人吉城 |
| Alternate Names | Kuma-jo, Mikazuki-jo, Sengetsu-jo |
| Founder | Sagara Nagayori |
| Year Founded | 1198 |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | Top 100 Castles, Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Edo Period |
| Features | gates, turrets, stone walls, castle town |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Hitoyoshi Sta. (Hisatsu Line); 10 min walk |
| Visitor Information | |
| Time Required | |
| Website | http://www.city.hitoyoshi.lg.jp/q/aview/186/1341.html |
| Location | Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 32° 12' 39.89" N, 130° 45' 59.36" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2012 |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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