Nagahama Castle

From Jcastle.info

Nagahama1.jpg

History

As an ally of Oda Nobunaga, Hashiba Hideyoshi received Odani Castle, but the mountaintop castle was difficult for him to govern his lands. He built a new castle in the village of Imahama and renamed it Nagahama, borrowing the "naga" character from Nobunaga's name. After the battle of Shigatake in 1583 the castle was taken over by Yamanouchi Kazutoyo and after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 it was ruled by Naito Nobunari. Nagahama Castle was demolished in 1615 because of Tokugawa's "one castle per province" policy. Some of the castle structures and moat walls were moved to Hikone Castle.


Visit Notes

There really isn't much here to see. The museum is mediocre and there is little structure left to the castle. No significant stones walls, moats, or buildings besides the reconstructed main keep. The cherry blossoms are really great though, so if you want to visit cherry blossom season is best. The top of the keep also offers some nice views of the lake and surrounding area. It's close to the station so you can easily make a quick stop on the way to other destinations.
見る物が少ないですが、駅から近いので簡単に寄って行けるお城です。復元の天守の他に小さい石垣跡しかありません。桜がとてもきれいなので花見の時期に来るといいでしょう。


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Gallery
  • main keep donjon and cherry blossoms
  • view from the top of the main keep
  • main keep foundation
  • Main keep
  • Main keep
  • stone wall
  • main keep
  • Otemon Gate at the Daitsuji Temple


Castle Profile
English Name Nagahama Castle
Japanese Name 長浜城
Founder Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi
Year Founded 1575
Castle Type Flatland
Castle Condition Reconstructed main keep
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Main Keep Structure 3 levels, 5 floors
Year Reconstructed 1983 (concrete)
Features main keep, gates, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access Nagahama Station (Hokuriku Honsen)
Visitor Information 400 yen; open 9am-5pm; closed 12/27-1/2 and a few irregular days each year for maintenance and display changes
Time Required 45 mins
Website http://www.city.nagahama.shiga.jp/section/rekihaku/
Location Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates 35° 22' 39.54" N, 136° 15' 40.86" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 1999
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 1996, 2012
Admin Visits April 1996; March 20, 2012


2.56
(25 votes)
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avatar

Matthew WardGunshi

8 months ago
Score 0++

Today, I had a class of junior high-school kids talk about their favorite famous place in Japan. I gave them some ideas before hand, and ended up getting places like Himeji Castle, Osaka Castle, Kinkakuji, Amanohashidate, Tokyo Disneyland, Todai-ji, Shirahama Beach, and so on. But then this one girl said 'Nagahama Castle.' I was pretty surprised as it's a quite obscure castle, so I said 'You mean Nagahama Castle in Shiga?' She said yes. I praised her for coming up with something original, and noted that it's beautiful in the cherry blossom season.

But really... as noted above and below, it's a total mogi with almost no real castle remains nearby, The best thing about it for me is the view it gives you of Lake Biwa. It IS cute, however, but I can't give it more than a 1. If you want to see the real Nagahama Castle, best to check out the wonderful Tenbin Yagura complex at Hikone Castle. I also didn't know that there were original gates at temples, so it's good to see that more of the original castle remains, albeit not on the current castle grounds!
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ARTShogun

42 months ago
Score 2++
Added the relocated Karametemon at Chikuzen'in to photo gallery.
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Kiddus i2003Gunshi

119 months ago
Score 0++
Making my way down Biwa-ko this loomed up in front of me. I had no idea it existed , so it was a pleasant way to spend an hour or two with all the other visitors.
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ZoomingjapanPeasant

143 months ago
Score 0++
I went there a few years ago as a day trip from Nara. I also visited Hikone Castle on the same day. I barely remember anything about Nagahama Castle. A snowstorm came up when I arrived at the station and so I had to rush inside the castle.
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RaymondWDaimyo

148 months ago
Score 0++
Went to this castle again yesterday, hoping to get some snowy shots of the castle. The bad news is that this castle is closed from 27th December until 2nd January. Most of the shops in the towns are closed from Boxing Day until New Year's Eve. Also, many of the shops in town are closed on Tuesdays (their regular day off each week.) Still, it was not a complete loss as I got some nice photos of Hikone Castle earlier in the day.
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RaymondWDaimyo

155 months ago
Score 0++
Thanks for the tip about the 20% off coupon. I've been to Nagahama a couple of times, but I did not know about the discount coupons. Cheers, mate.
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A22cricketAshigaru

155 months ago
Score 0++
Went to Nagahama and Azuchi this weekend. This time I was able to go inside. If you go to the tourist information center at the station first they'll give you a 20% off coupon for admission. Some nice screens and scrolls in the museum but not the most interesting to visit. Great on the outside but if you get there after closing hours, you really wouldn't have missed much. I'd suggest going to Hikone early in the day then go to Nagahama in the afternoon/evening to take pictures of the castle in the sunset.
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A22cricketAshigaru

156 months ago
Score 0++
Went here after Hikone. The town was founded by Hideyoshi and they remind you of it everywhere. Haven't been inside it yet, I got there after closing time, but making plans to spend a weekend there.
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FurinkazanDaimyo

163 months ago
Score 0++
This castle is beautiful and the artifacts on show are interesting. The view from the upper floor is amazing. You have a clear view on Biwa-lake.
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Jcastle.oldHatamoto

169 months ago
Score 0++
The castle on the cover of that book is Azuchi Castle