Nishio Castle

History

The history of Nishio Castle actually dates back to the 13th century with a castle called Saijo-jo built by Ashikaga Yoshiuji around 1221. After the Ashikaga, several different lords ruled over the castle gradually expanding it's territory. Under the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Sakai Shigetada fortified the castle in 1585 with moats, stone walls, yagura, gates and a tenshu, turning it into a modern castle. Lordship of the castle changed hands many times during the Edo Period and it was eventually dismantled during the Meiji Restoration.

Visit Notes

There are some samurai homes and other historic sites in the city too, but it was getting too late to go anywhere else.

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Gallery

• 

  Ushitora Yagura
• 

  Ushitora Yagura
• 

  Chuujakumon Gate
• 

  Chuujakumon Gate
• 

  wall
• 

  Inside of the Ushitora Yagura
• 

  moat
• 

  earthen embankment
• 

  earthen embankment
• 

  stone wall
• 

  Map
• 

  tenshudai
• 

  Restored Tenshudai (donjon platform)
• 

  NINOMARU Ushitora Yagura, reconstructed in 2020
• 
• 
• 
• 

Castle Profile
English Name	Nishio Castle
Japanese Name	西尾城
Alternate Names	Saijo-jo, Tsuru-jo, Tsuruga-jo
Founder
Year Founded	1221
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	gates, turrets, water moats, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Nishio Sta. (Meitetsu Nishio Line); 15 min walk
Visitor Information
Time Required
Website	http://www.city.nishio.aichi.jp/index.cfm/8,2179,92,417,html
Location	Nishio, Aichi Prefecture
Coordinates	34° 51' 58.72" N, 137° 2' 52.94" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2009
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2009
Admin Visits	October 15, 2009

2.67

(9 votes)

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ARTShogun

13 months ago

Score 0

The new yagura seems to have been done a bit on the cheap. The black paint (used in place of lacquer?) is already fading to brown. Combined with the concrete in the “restored” stone platform of the tower, and the (for legal reasons) still uncompleted final floor which means that tower can’t be entered, a second viewing proved a little disappointing.

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FurinkazanDaimyo

21 months ago

Score 0

On 13/12/2022, I encountered a man training to be a guide at Ansho castle, who lives nearby Nishio castle. He proposed to visit the castle together. I wanted to visit this one again since the Ushitora turret and a part of the byobudobei(earthen rampart in folding screen shape) have been reconstructed since my last visit in 2014.

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ARTShogun

46 months ago

Score 1

Added pictures of restored Dorui, Byobu-Ore walls, Tenshudai and the reconstructed Ninomaru Ushitora-yagura.

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ARTShogun

73 months ago

Score 1

Added picture of Tenshudai to photo gallery

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ARTShogun

78 months ago

Score 1

There is also a large teahouse and exhibits at a museum in the castle park (which includes yoroi sets and models of the original tenshu). The “Tea Palace,” as I nicknamed it, actually called Kyū-Konoetei, is a must visit in Nishio because the city is famous for its production of green tea, the taste of which is much sweeter than the bitter matcha served in Uji style.

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FurinkazanDaimyo

126 months ago

Score 0

After Okazaki, i went to this castle. The Ushitorayagura and museum were open and it's free. I could also take photos of everything in the museum which contains some nice armors and other artifacts. The reconstructed gate is very well done. I don't see any images or commentary of the reconstructed tenshukakudai. This has a very newish look and apparently they are still making work on the west side of it. I give it only 2.5 stars because there is no tenshu, but don't hesitate to visit. It will be nice to see some other parts reconstructed.

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Alek 31Ashigaru

146 months ago

Score 0

The castle is basically a three-storied turret. The inside can be visited, but no exhibits are available and it`s difficult to see the view from the last level. My reasons for grating three stars: entry to the turret and museum is free, the museum guides are very enthusiastic and offer ample explanations regarding the castle history and the tea house located in the ninomaru area. The tea house has an amazing garden, aa beautiful view of the castle, you can take pictures inside, the staff is frendly and informative. And of course, you get a chance to enjoy a wonderful matcha set (one of the best I had in Japan; personally, I think it beat anything I had in Kyoto). If you`re in the area and you have time,give it a chance.

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RaymondWDaimyo

160 months ago

Score 0

The curse of Monday strikes again! This is another one of those minor castle sites in Japan that is closed on Mondays. There is a museum, a gate, and a turret, but both the museum and turret were closed. Some restored water moats and earthen embankments can be seen. There are also the remains of a well in the honmaru remains. Some remnants of original ishigaki can still be seen. Since I could not visit either the turret or museum, I can only give this castle site, a one-star rating on Mondays. If you are using a JR Seishun-18 ticket, you can get off at JR Anjo and either walk to the Meitetsu Kita-Anjo or Minami-Anjo Station. The latter has more trains because the express trains also stop there. A one-way Meitetsu ticket from either of the Anjo stations to Nishio Station cost 340yen. From Nishio Station, it is around a 15 minute walk to the site.

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