Usui Castle

History

Founded in the 12th century, Usui Castle was the family home of the Usui clan until 1561. In 1561, Usui Hisatane was attacked by Masaki Tokishige, a retainer of Satomi Yoshitaka. Hisatane escaped to Yuki Castle and never returned. Hara Tanesada became the new lord of Usui Castle under the Chiba. In 1564, the castle was attacked by Uesugi Kenshin, but they were able to repel the attack with support from the Chiba and Hojo. In Hideyoshi's campaign against the Hojo, Tokugawa Ieyasu sent Sakai Ietsugu to blockade the castle. The castle surrendered and Sakai became the lord of the castle until he was transferred in 1604. The castle was decommissioned at this time.

Visit Notes

Pay attention to the huge dry moat around the Ninomaru area. If you go to the castle from the station you'll probably enter around the Ninomaru. It's worth walking some around the outside of this huge moat. It is fairly overgrown so it doesn't show well in pictures, but it is impressive in person. Also, if you're going to Usui Castle you should stop at the nearby Usuida Shukuuchi Fort, just 0.5km to the southeast of Usui Castle. It has several baileys and is just as interesting as the main castle itself.
臼井城へ行く時は二の丸の巨大な空堀もよく見てください。外側をちょっと歩く価値があります。とても茂ているので写真によく写りませんがその大きさに感動します。せっかく臼井城へ行くのなら約0.5キロ離れた臼井田宿内砦も見てください。臼井城の結構大きな支城でよく残っています。

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Gallery

Honmaru entrance
Honmaru entrance
Honmaru entrance
Honmaru entrance
Honmaru dry moat
Ninomaru moat
Ninomaru entrance
Ninomaru Bailey
Honmaru Bailey
View from the Honmaru bailey
North entrance to the Honmaru
Small stone wall
Entrance to the Honmaru Bailey
North side of Honmaru
Koshikuruwa bailey
Koshikuruwa Bailey
North side rear entrance
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Usui Castle
Japanese Name	臼井城
Founder	Usui Tsuneyasu
Year Founded	1114
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Keisei Shisui Sta (Keisei Line); 15 mins walk
Visitor Information	The park is open any time
Time Required	30 mins
Website	http://www.city.sakura.lg.jp/0000000669.html
Location	Sakura, Chiba Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 44' 18.20" N, 140° 10' 45.23" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2013
Admin Year Visited	2013
Admin Visits	May 6, 2013

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