Inawashiro Castle

History

Inawashiro Castle was founded by Ashina Tsunetsura in 1191. After moving into the castle he took the surname Inawashiro. The Inawashiro clan ruled Inawashiro Castle for about 400 years. In 1589, the Inawashiro, who had always been on uncertain terms with their distant Ashina relatives, joined forces with Date Masamune in his campaign asgainst the Ashina. At a decisive battle at Suriagehara, the Date forces crushed the Ashina and Date moved into Wakamatsu. After Date's departure to Yonezawa, the castle was controlled by Gamo Ujisato, Uusugi Kagekatsu and then again returned to Gamo clan hands, followed by the Kato and was finally ruled by the Matsudaira until the end of the Edo Period. Inawashiro castle was an exception to the One Castle Per Country law of the Tokugawa and was maintained until the end of the Edo Period. It is often called Kamegajo, reflecting it's close relation to Tsurugajo of Aizu Wakamatsu. In Japanese, the tsuru (crane) and kame (turtle) are both symbols of good fortune and long life.

Visit Notes

Inawashiro Castle, also known as Kamegajo, is a perfect companion to visit along your way to Aizu Wakamatsu. It has an interesting layout with several well maintained baileys and moats and is one of the few Tohoku castles with significant stone walls which makes it a worthwhile stop for any castle fans. If you have time the Mt Bandai area and Lake Inawashiro are both fun places to relax for a day or two.
会津若松へ行く途中で猪苗代城を訪れるのが最適でしょう。縄張りも面白く、よく整備されている曲輪や堀がいくつかあって、しかも東北で石垣がある有数の城です。お城ファンは行く価値があるに違いありません。時間があれば磐梯山、裏磐梯、猪苗代湖でのんびりしたらいかがでしょうか。

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Gallery

masugata entrance
masugata stone wall
First stone steps after the gate
Doumaru bailey
Next set of stone stairs
Stone steps to the Honmaru and Ninomaru
stone steps to the ninomaru and masugata
masugata entrance
Ninomaru stone walls and gate
Ninomaru steps and masugata stone walls
Ninomaru bailey
Honmaru earthen embankment
honmaru bailey
Stone wall in the honmaru bailey
bailey
dry moat and earthen embankments
Dry moat and earthen embankments
Yamauchi Residence
Mt. Bandai
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Inawashiro Castle
Japanese Name	猪苗代城
Alternate Names	Kamegajo
Founder	Ashina Tsunetsura
Year Founded	1191
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Inawashiro Sta. (Ban'etsu Saisen Line); 20 min walk
Visitor Information
Time Required
Website	http://www.bandaisan.or.jp/e-bandaisan/English/web-content/01.inawashiro/inawashiro.html
Location	Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture
Coordinates	37° 33' 43.45" N, 140° 6' 13.97" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2011
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2011
Admin Visits	July 18, 2011