Koori Nishiyama Castle

History

The origins of Koori Nishiyama Castle likely date to 1189 when Date Tomomune built a castle called Akadate on this site. In 1532 Date Tanemune renovated the site building the new Koori Nishiyama Castle. Date Harumune moved the main seat of power for the Date clan to Yonezawa in 1548. The castle was likely abandoned at this point in terms of a primary castle, but some think it was also used as a minor fortification to maintain control of the Fukushima region. In 1868, at the end of the Edo Period, the Sendai Domain also built a canon placement on the south side of the castle in an elongated Bailey just south of the Honmaru. It is not known however if a canon was ever actually placed there or not.

Visit Notes

The castle is easy to get to, a short walk from the station and an easy climb up the main road. It also offers some great views of the valley making it highly recommended for castle fans. It was a bit cloudy and hazy this day so you can't quite see the great views in these photos but you get the idea.

The castle is situated along the top of a fairly flat mountain. The east side with the Honmaru and Ninomaru are separted by elevation and steep banks, but the western side of the castle (Nishidate and Nakadate) have trenches and the remains of stonework around the site. This difference seems to indicate that this section is newer. In particular, the masugata type entrance to the Nishidate is magnificent. It has huge embankments and a steep pathway into a stone lined entrance.

On your way to the castle from the station you will probably first encounter what looks like a tatebori trench or simply a water runway down the mountainside but this is actually the original main entrance (oteguchi). See the photo below. There is a trail marked that you could climb up from here, but it maybe wasn't worth the trouble to fight through the weeds and fallen trees.

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Gallery

Oteguchi
Otedo, original road into the castle
Canon placement

Castle Profile
English Name	Koori Nishiyama Castle
Japanese Name	桑折西山城
Alternate Names	Akadate-jo
Founder	Date Tomomune
Year Founded	1189
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Koori Station (Tohoku Line); 15 min walk to the trailhead
Visitor Information	mountain park, open any time
Time Required	90 minutes
Website	https://www.town.koori.fukushima.jp/kankou/sightseeing/4/2073.html
Location	Koori, Fukushima Prefecture
Coordinates	37° 51' 20.56" N, 140° 30' 35.46" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2021
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2020
Admin Visits	November 1, 2020
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