Masugatayama Castle

History

Masugatayama Castle was most likely built as an extended fortification from Karakai Castle, but it is not known during what time period specifically.

Visit Notes

Masugatayama Castle is best visited along with Karakai Castle. In that case you'll want to follow the trails to Karakai Castle first and then back down through Masugatayama Castle. You could do the reverse, but I think it is more interesting and logical to start with Karakai Castle. However, be VERY careful of the trails as you walk from Karakai Castle. Just after the XXX the main hiking trail continues off to the left and on to another mountain. What you need to do is to take the (much less travelled) trail to the right and up to the top of a small ridge or mountaintop called Monomi.

It looks like they have recently, probably this year, cut out a lot of trees around the Honmaru bailey of Masugatayama Castle and improved the trail going up from the bottom. I don't know what the purpose is but it would be great if they put up a few signs and continued to improve the trail going back through to Karakai Castle as well.

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Gallery

Main Bailey
Monomiyama. The first bailey encountered when coming from Karakai Castle and the highest point in Masugatayama Castle.
Looking back up the trail to Monomiyama.
Bailey
Small side bailey
Small side bailey
Small bailey from the previous photo
Long narrow intentionally cut ridge
Stonework to support the walkway
Stonework to support the walkway
Earthen bridge with tatebori trenches and a masugata gate on the other side.
Tatebori trenches of the entrance
Masugata entrance
Looking down into the entrance
Small bailey
Main bailey
The only sign indicating a castle ruin
Bailey
Bailey
Path down to the next bailey
Looking back up to the main bailey
Horikiri trench

Castle Profile
English Name	Masugatayama Castle
Japanese Name	枡形山城
Founder	Mita Tsunahide
Year Founded	1558 ?
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Futamato Sta (Oume Line), 10 mins walk to the trailhead
Visitor Information	mountain trails, open year round
Time Required
Location	Oume, Tokyo
Coordinates	35° 48' 22.50" N, 139° 13' 22.94" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2017
Admin Year Visited	2017

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