Takayama Castle (Hida)

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01Takayamajou.png

History

Takayamajō was built in 1588 by Kanamori Nagachika who, striking out from his base of Echizen-Ōnojō, had conquered much of Hida several years before. The former ruler of the area, Mitsuki Yoritsuna, allied with Sassa Narimasa against Toyotomi Hideyoshi, which was to be their undoing. Toyotomi awared Kanamori with lands in the area following his capture of them, which was gracious of him, I suppose. Most of the castle was completed by 1600. By 1603 a third bailey had been added. Each bailey contained residential structures (go'ten / yashiki). In 1692 the Kanamori Clan was transferred to Kaminoyama Domain. The castle subsequently came under the mandate of the Maeda of Kanazawa, but was demolished by 1695. Takayama Domain was by now a Tenryō. The town was subsequently redeveloped around Takayama-jin'ya, the new administrative center of the domain.


Visit Notes

Takayamajō has a jutting portion of ishigaki (stone-piled ramparts) still intact on the honmaru (main bailey). Formerly a great castellated palace dominated the mountain clad with ishigaki, but now only this part remains, the former site of the "messenger's room", a place beside the main entrance to the citadel for messengers to rest. There was also a hall with a sentry tower atop, a bōrōgata tenshu (watch-tower style main keep) typical of the Sengoku Period. The ninomaru (second bailey) is now clear. The sannomaru (third bailey) contains a shrine and is surrounded by a mizubori (water moat). Beyond that is the historical town of Takayama. Both outer baileys contained palatial residences, and another smaller residence was located between the second and central bailey, the chūdan-yakata. The Gōhōdaira, a flattened area on the mountain slopes, contained salt stores. An area with the temple Shōrenji, which has thick earthen walls and and a medieval temple hall, may have formerly contained the bukeyashiki of the vassals of the Kanamori Clan who ruled Takayama Domain from the start of the Edo Period until 1692 when it became a tenryō (territory directly administrated by the Bakufu (Shogunate)). More bukeyashiki were likely located at the foot of the castle mountain beyond the mizubori. The town was subsequently redeveloped around Takayama-jin'ya, the new administrative center of the domain after 1695.

Profile and photos by ART. Additional photos of relocated structures by Anne McClean.


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Gallery
  • Ishigaki
  • Unryūji Shōrōmon (Bell Tower Gatehouse), relocated from Takayamajō by Kanamori Nagachika in 1601. Photo: Anne McLean
  • Sōyūji, with stone walls recycled from the castle. Photo: Anne McLean
  • Hokkeji Hondō (Main Hall), said to be relocated from Takayamajō by Kanamori Shigeyori in 1632. Photo: Anne McLean
  • Sōgenji Hondō (Main Hall), also said to be relocated from the castle. Photo: Anne McLean
  • The Shōrōmon (Bell Tower Gatehouse) at the Hida-Kokubunji is also said to be from the castle. Photo: ART
  • Mizubori
  • Mizubori
  • Mizubori
  • Mizubori


Castle Profile
English Name Takayama Castle (Hida)
Japanese Name 高山城
Founder Kanamori Nagachika
Year Founded 1588
Castle Type Hilltop
Castle Condition No main keep but other buildings
Designations Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access Takayama Station (JR Takayama Line), 15 min walk
Visitor Information park, open any time
Time Required
Website http://www.city.takayama.lg.jp/kurashi/1000021/1000119/1000847/1000954/1000969.html
Location Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 8' 18.02" N, 137° 15' 48.49" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2019
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


1.67
(3 votes)
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Matthew WardGunshi

11 months ago
Score 0++
I went to Takayama 22 years ago with my wife. I had originally forgotten most of what we saw there, but this site has helped me remember. We did go see the castle ruins, but as stated elsewhere here, there isn't a lot to see: just the ishigaki you see in the picture above. Safe to say that the castle ruins are not what one comes to Takayama to see, but rather all of the other historical buildings, including Takayama Jin'ya. But castle fans will want to check out these ruins, unless they are in a big hurry (the jin'ya should definitely be the priority if you have little time).

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ARTShogun

36 months ago
Score 0++
Have added pictures of relocated structures from the castle by Anne McLean. Have updated to yellow. Have added co-ordinates.

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ARTShogun

64 months ago
Score 0++

Takayamajō (Takayama)　高山城　［高山］

Takayamajō has a jutting portion of ishigaki (stone-piled ramparts) still intact on the honmaru (main bailey). Formerly a great castellated palace dominated the mountain clad with ishigaki, but now only this part remains, the former site of the "messenger's room", a place beside the main entrance to the citadel for messengers to rest. There was also a hall with a sentry tower atop, a bōrōgata tenshu (watch-tower style main keep) typical of the Sengoku Period. The ninomaru (second bailey) is now clear. The sannomaru (third bailey) contains a shrine and is surrounded by a mizubori (water moat). Beyond that is the historical town of Takayama. Both outer baileys contained palatial residences, and another smaller residence was located between the second and central bailey, the chūdan-yakata. The Gōhōdaira, a flattened area on the mountain slopes, contained salt stores. An area with the temple Shōrenji, which has thick earthen walls and and a medieval temple hall, may have formerly contained the bukeyashiki of the vassals of the Kanamori Clan who ruled Takayama Domain from the start of the Edo Period until 1692 when it became a tenryō (territory directly administrated by the Bakufu (Shogunate)). More bukeyashiki were likely located at the foot of the castle mountain beyond the mizubori. The town was subsequently redeveloped around Takayama-jin'ya, the new administrative center of the domain after 1695.

History:

Takayamajō was built in 1588 by Kanamori Nagachika who, striking out from his base of Echizen-Ōnojō, had conquered much of Hida several years before. The former ruler of the area, Mitsuki Yoritsuna, allied with Sassa Narimasa against Toyotomi Hideyoshi, which was to be their undoing. Toyotomi awared Kanamori with lands in the area following his capture of them, which was gracious of him, I suppose. Most of the castle was completed by 1600. By 1603 a third bailey had been added. Each bailey contained residential structures (go'ten / yashiki). In 1692 the Kanamori Clan was transferred to Kaminoyama Domain. The castle subsequently came under the mandate of the Maeda of Kanazawa, but was demolished by 1695. Takayama Domain was by now a Tenryō. The town was subsequently redeveloped around Takayama-jin'ya, the new administrative center of the domain.

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ARTShogun

64 months ago
Score 0++
oh, I'll add a picture here too : D

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SnoworionGunshi

98 months ago
Score 0++
Visited on 16 October 2015. Really just a few stones and a few steps. There is no castle but just a few ruins in a park.

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