Toishi Castle

History

Toishi Castle is constructed on a ridge extending out from Mt. Higashitaroyama. It's one vast compound castle, made of four small castles called Komeyama-jo, Toishi-jo, Hon-jo and Masugata-jo concentrated around the main Hon-jo area. Even though they're often called four castles you could also think of them like 4 baileys at other castles.

The early history of Toishi Castle is not clear. It's attributed to either the Murakami or Sanada, but most likely the Murakami. Around 1468 Murakami Masakiyo made incursions into the Chiisagata area (modern day Ueda) and likely built out the mountaintop fortification here. If you were to visit the area you would see that the Taroyama mountains dominate the horizon around Ueda. This ridge was is an ideal location that splits the modern day Ueda Station and Ueda Castle area from the Sanada area claimed as the home of the Sanada clan. Around 1532-1555, Murakami Yoshikiyo further built out and renovated much of the castle.

In 1550, Toishi Castle became famous as the biggest loss in Takeda Shingen's career. Earlier in the year, Shingen defeated the Ogasawara (see Hayashikojo Castle) extending his reach into the Shinano region and leaving the Murakami as the last major holdout. Shingen had actually lost another major battle to Murakami, the Battle of Uedahara, 2 years earlier so he was looking to take revenge on Murakami's home fortress with overwhelming might. Shingen attacked Toishi Castle with 7000 soldiers against the castle's 500 defenders. On August 29th, Shingen surrounded the castle and began his attack on September 9th. The steep sides and tenacity of the Murakami defended held off Shingen until September 23rd when a reinforcement army of 4000 suddenly appeared at his back. Murakami had escaped Shingen's blockade and brought his main forces to Shingen's back. Shingen still fought on until October 1st when they withdrew and escaped back to Suwa. Shingen suffered heavy casualties including the loss of one of his generals, Yokota Takatoshi. This battle is often known as Toishi Kuzure (砥石崩れ).

Takeda Shingen commanded Sanada Yukitaka to take the castle in 1551. Yukitaka was able to get someone on the inside to betray Murakami and opened the castle to him. Thereafter the Sanada controlled Toishi Castle where it played an important role in the battles of Ueda Castle.

Visit Notes

The trails around Toishi Castle are much easier than I expected. Some blogs and comments make it sound like it is really challenging, but if you are careful it is not so difficult. Matsuokojo Castle near was considerably more difficult. Some areas are very steep and slippery but they are not very long so they can be easily climbed using the guide ropes or a trekking pole as I did. A few places have built in a lot of steps and they are clearing a lot of trees from the Honjo area making it a very enjoyable mountaintop castle to visit.

The castle is well sign posted, well maintained, photogenic and easy to navigate. It is highly recommended for all mountain castle fans, but you should visit between the late fall and early spring before it is overgrown with weeds and foliage.

他のブログやインターネットのコメントで読んでいたほど登りづらい山城ではありませんでした。砥石城崩れの有名さによって大げさにその大変さを書いているのではないかと思いました。一部の険しい場所があり、滑りやすい場所もあったけれど、トレッキングポールを備えてゆっくり進めば楽です。松尾古城の方が大変だと感じました。この城跡はよく整備してあります。案内板も多い、登山道がわかりやすいそして何より眺望がいいし、いい写真もたくさん撮れるので山城ファンには大変オススメです。ただし、秋から春にかけて、草や木の葉っぱが茂る前に行きたいです。

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Gallery

Honjo entrance
Mock yagura gate
The trail to Komeyama-jo
Trail to Komeyama-jo
Central bailey of Komeyama-jo
Komeyama-jo bailey
Komeyama-jo baileys
Komeyama-jo obikuruwa
Toishi Castle
Trail to Toishi Castle
Trail up to Toishi Castle
Stone steps
more stairs...
Central bailey of Toishi-jo
Central bailey of Toishi-jo
Path from Toishi-jo to Honjo
Steep side of Toishi-jo
Double horikiri
Main entrance to the Honjo
Earthworks of the Honjo
Earthworks of the Honjo
Baileys of the Honjo
Baileys of the Honjo
Baileys of the Honjo
Baileys and earthworks of the Honjo
Baileys and earthworks of the Honjo
Baileys and earthworks of the Honjo
Baileys of the Honjo
Main bailey of the Honjo
Honjo deep trench
Deep trench of the Honjo main bailey
Trail to Masugata-jo
Main bailey of Masugata-jo
Main bailey of Masugata-jo
Main bailey of Masugata-jo
Bailey of Masugata-jo
View from Masugata-jo
Obikuruwa of the Honjo
Great view of the Sanada area
Minor baileys
Minor baileys of the Mizunote area.
simple map
Hiking route map

Castle Profile
English Name	Toishi Castle
Japanese Name	砥石城
Alternate Names	Komeyama-jo, Toishi Komeyama-jo, Honjo, Masugata-jo
Founder	Murakami
Year Founded	mid 15th C.
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Ueda Sta. 15 min bus, walk 5 mins
Visitor Information	mountain park, open any time
Time Required	150 mins
Website	http://uedaguide.naganoblog.jp/e1572140.html
Location	Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 25' 36.23" N, 138° 17' 27.96" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2016
Admin Year Visited	2016
Admin Visits	March 31, 2016

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