Motoyama Castle (Chikuma)
History
Motoyamajō was the mountain redoubt used by the Motoyama Clan during the Sengoku Period. The Motoyama Clan, who served Kiso Yoshimasa, had their main residence at the foot of the castle mount. The Motoyama Hall later became the site of the Honjin (main inn) of Motoyama-juku, a post town along the Nakasendō (Interior Trunk Road).
Visit Notes
This site was tricky to get to because there was no obious trail. I stuck to the ridge line as much as possible. The rocky mountain scenery was invigorating. The castle ruin consists of a series of spacious terraced baileys surrounding the uppermost bailey. Including the shukuruwa (main bailey), there are four tiers of sculpted earth in all. The koshikuruwa (sub-bailey) beneath the shukuruwa is surrounded by dorui (earthen embankments). The trench to the rear of the main bailey is very deep.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Motoyama Castle (Chikuma) |
| Japanese Name | 筑摩本山城 |
| Founder | Motoyama Clan |
| Year Founded | Sengoku Period |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Hori, Kuruwa, Koshikuruwa |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Hideshio Station on the Chuo West Line; 20 minute walk to trail head |
| Visitor Information | Free; 24/7; Mountain |
| Time Required | 50 minutes |
| Location | Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 36° 3' 38.63" N, 137° 54' 21.67" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2020 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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