Kanaiyama Castle

History

It was likely built by the Kanai clan around 1504. The Kanai were allied with the Murakami for around 60 years until 1550 when, along with the neighboring Terao clan, they allied with Takeda Shingen when he attacked the Murakami's Arato Castle. The Murakami attacked both clans and despite aid from Takeda's ally Sanada Yukitaka, Terao Castle fell and the Terao fled to Uesugi Kagekatsu in Echigo. The fate of Kanaiyama Castle is not certain but it likely fell to the Murakami as well. After Takeda Shingen took Amakazari Castle, it served as his main fortification until Matsushiro Castle was complete. Kanaiyama Castle and Terao Castle likely became part of the larger Amakazari Castle network defending around Matsushiro Castle.

Visit Notes

You can rent electric bicycles (or regular bicycles) at Matsushiro and easily visit Kanaiyama Castle or Kawanakajima from there. Along the mountain ridge are several small baileys and kofun. Beyond the huge horikiri is the last bailey with some stonework. I didn't actually make it there. Due to the cliff face beyond the large horikiri being covered in new fallen leaves and damp from the rain and frost, I decided it was too dangerous to go on. I made it to the other side and tried climbing up but it only looked like more slippery rock faces as far as I could see. I may try it again someday in better conditions.
松代で電動自転車を借りれば簡単に金井山城、霞城または川中島古戦場を訪れることができます。山尾根に小曲輪や古墳が数カ所見られます。大堀切のさらに先に石積みの本郭もあるようですが、今回は落ち葉と前日に降った雨と霜で大変滑りやすくなっていたので進むのが危ない判断して断念してしまいました。初めて山城を断念してちょっと悲しいです。

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Gallery

Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench
Kofun
Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench
Kofun
Kofun
Trail

Castle Profile
English Name	Kanaiyama Castle
Japanese Name	金井山城
Founder	Kanai Clan
Year Founded	1504 (?)
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Nagano Sta.; Bus to Kawanakajima Battlefield, 40 min walk.
Visitor Information	park open any time, see notes for more details
Time Required	90 mins
Location	Nagano, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 35' 1.64" N, 138° 12' 21.89" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2017
Admin Year Visited	2016
Admin Visits	December 2, 2016

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ARTShogun

23 months ago

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The Kanaiyama Castle-Mount is a mysterious place strewn with large boulders and containing several kofun (ancient burial mounds). I climbed inside two of the kofun along the trail. Another tumulus ruin has had its earth covering removed and the stones of the burial chamber exposed (the kofun come before the castle ruins but I show them after the castle ruins here). The castle ruins are also impressive, consisting of horikiri (trenches cut into the mountain ridge) and kuruwa (baileys), with some remaining ishigaki (stone-piled ramparts) segments and the shukuruwa (main bailey). The cuttings into the ridgeline made by the castle builders are particularly impressive as they appear to cleft deeply through boulders and solid rock.

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