Katakura Castle

History

Katakura Castle was located on a hill overlooking a convergence in the Yudono and Hyoei rivers. The original castle was built by the Nagai clan. On the North, South and East sides the castle was surrounded by cliffs and valleys about 30m above the rivers. It was constructed with two main baileys divided by deep moats, surrounded by earthen mounds and watchtowers. It also had a multiple koshiguruwa type baileys. Further, the castle's location was an important base adjacent to the old Kawagoe road and the Kamakura Road. For the time period, it was considered a well designed and located castle. Due to it's proximity to Takiyama Castle and Hachioji Castle it is thought that Katakura Castle was also used as an extended fortification of these castles by the Hojo Clan. The castle was abandoned after the fall of the Hojo in 1590.

Visit Notes

A nice park to visit for fall colors, cherry blossoms or spring flowers. In the valley along the north side of the castle I saw many people taking photos of wildflowers in the spring. The castle itself is well preserved for being in Tokyo and has not had any significant development to damage the ruins.
紅葉、桜,そして野生の花を見るのにいい公園で、北側にある谷で花の写真を撮っている人がたくさんいました。城跡自体は大きな開発ながなく良好な状態で残されてきました。

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Gallery

Two main baileys and moat
Side trail to the castle
Main bailey
Large dry moat
North side of the Main Bailey
Large moat between and the Main Bailey and Second Bailey
Valley north of the castle
Dry moat
Dry moat
Valley alongside the castle
Demaru Bailey
Earthen embankment around the bailey
Demaru Bailey
Dry moat outside the Second Bailey
Main Bailey
Second Bailey
Trench and Demaru Bailey
Valley alongside the castle
Valley alongside the castle
Map
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Katakura Castle
Japanese Name	片倉城
Alternate Names	Hachioji-jo
Founder	Nagai Clan (Probable)
Year Founded	1390
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Keio Katakura Station (Keio Line), 8 min walk; JR Katakura Sta. (Yokohama Line) 5 min walk
Visitor Information	Park open any time
Time Required	45 mins
Website	http://www.city.hachioji.tokyo.jp/kyoiku/rekishibunkazai/001784.html
Location	Hachioji, Tokyo
Coordinates	35° 38' 23.86" N, 139° 20' 14.28" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2015
Admin Year Visited	2015
Admin Visits	March 28, 2015

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