Ushiku Castle

History

Ushiku Castle was built around 1550 by the Okami clan. At that time the Okami were allied with the Hojo in opposition to the Satake defending the borderlands of the Hojo territory. The castle was strongly built and incorporated elements of Hojo castle design such as a large outer defense perimeter (sogamae) around the castle. In 1586 the Okami were attacked by the Tagaya (Satake allies) and barely defended the castle with support from other nearby allies. During the Siege of Odawara in 1590, the Okami surrendered to Hideyoshi's forces. Hideyoshi replaced the Okami with Yura Kunishige as the new commander of the castle. Ushiku Castle was abandoned after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1623.

In 1669, the Ushiku Domain was established and Ushiku Jinya was built along the Ushiku Swamp to the northwest of Ushiku Castle.

Visit Notes

This is a fantastic site to visit. The huge walls and deep trenches are very typical of Kanto earthworks castles, especially the many similar type ones you'll find around Ibaraki. The pictures don't do it justice. Some of the embankments appear to be low, but you are actually looking at them from inside the bailey and a higher elevation. From the outside they add a couple meters onto the height of an already deep trench.
牛久城はとても面白いです。深い空堀と高い土塁を持つ関東らしい土城です。こういう土城が多い茨城県の中でも牛久城は特に目立つ城跡です。この写真だけでは十分に伝わらないかもしれないので是非自分で訪れてみてください。

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Gallery

Deep trench of the Second Bailey
Castle entrance between deep trenches
Third Bailey trenches seen from the bridge
Third Bailey trenches seen from the bridge
Embankment of the Third Bailey
Second Bailey
Embankment of the Second Bailey
Vertical trench of the Second Bailey
Small koshiguruwa of the Second Bailey
Trench of the Second Bailey
Trench of the Second Bailey
Second Bailey
Embankment of the Third Bailey
Trench between the First and Second Bailey
Trench between the First and Second Bailey
Trench between the First and Second Bailey
Small koshiguruwa type bailey
Earthen bridge to the First Bailey
Small bailey around the entrance to the First and Third Baileys
First Bailey
Third Bailey
Embankment of the Third Bailey
Embankment of the Third Bailey
Embankment of the Third Bailey
Location of the Main Gate for the castle
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Ushiku Castle
Japanese Name	牛久城
Founder	Okami clan
Year Founded	1550
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Ushiku Sta. (Joban line), 25 min walk
Visitor Information	park, open any time
Time Required	60 mins
Location	Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 57' 14.76" N, 140° 8' 6.43" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2017
Admin Year Visited	2017
Admin Visits	May 3, 2017

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