Jindaiji Castle

History

The origins of this castle are not clearly known. It comes into prominence in 1537 when Ogigayatsu Uesugi Tomosada renovated an "old castle" on this site to oppose Hojo Ujitsuna. Excavations of the site show that it was likely an Ogigayatsu castle as early as 1490 but was abandoned at some point. This was the "old castle" referred to in 1537. The castle was likely abandoned in July of the same year when Hojo Ujitsuna skipped by Jindaiji Castle and attacked Matsuyama Castle. As it ended up in the middle of Hojo territory it was not necessary for the defense of Odawara, so it does not seem to have been repurposed by the Hojo.

Visit Notes

It might not look like there is much to see here, but the layout of the castle is surprisingly well preserved. It's worth a stop combined with Jindaiji Temple and the nearby botanical gardens. Around the temple are also many old shops and interesting restaurants and cafes so you can easily enjoy a day outside the city. The area is famous for soba and there is a soba plant garden on in the botanic park too.
見える遺構は少ないように見えるかもしれませんが、城の縄張りや土塁が意外によく残っています。深大寺の観光と合わせてゆっくり楽しむ価値があります。この周辺には名物のおそばの店など面白そうなレストランやお店がたくさんありそうです。

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Gallery

Second bailey
First Bailey
First Bailey
Path inside the park
Earthen embankment of the First Bailey
Entrance to the First Bailey
Earthen embankment of the First Bailey
Earthen embankment of the First Bailey
Moat between the first and second bailey
Entrance to the Second Bailey from the First Bailey
Moat between the first and second bailey
Moat between the first and second bailey
Second Bailey
Moat between the first and second bailey
Moat, embankment and Second Bailey
Moat, embankment and Second Bailey
Second Bailey outer embankment
Second Bailey outer embankment
View of the castle from the garden
View of the castle from the garden
Entrance from the second bailey to an obikuruwa bailey
Map of the castle grounds
Map of the castle grounds

Castle Profile
English Name	Jindaiji Castle
Japanese Name	深大寺城
Founder	Ogigayatsu Uesugi Tomosada
Year Founded	Late 1400's
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Take the bus from Chofu Station or Tsutsujigaoka Station on the Keio Line, or from Kichijoji Station or Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo-Sobu Line
Visitor Information	The castle ruins are located in the aquatic plant garden, a branch of the Jindai Botanical Gardens. Open 9:30 to 16:30. Closed Monday unless it's a holiday, then closed the following day; closed for new Year's Holidays. 500 yen.
Time Required	45 mins
Website	http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index045.html
Location	Chofu, Tokyo
Coordinates	35° 39' 55.55" N, 139° 33' 3.10" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2012
Admin Year Visited	2015
Admin Visits	July 20, 2015

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Anonymous user #1

154 months ago

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This castle is an easy drive from central Tokyo and not far from the American school, cant believe I drove by this on the way to dropping kids off at school for years and didn't realize it was there. While this castle is simply ruins and forms part of the botanical gardens, the neighboring area and shrine make it well worth the trip.

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