Yato Castle

History

Henmi Kiyomitsu built the castle around the early 1100's. One of Kiyomitsu's sons, Takeda Nobuyoshi, was the first of the Takeda clan. After the death of Kiyomitsu in 1199, the history of Yato Castle becomes very vague. It is not known how the castle was used or by whom. Given the strategic location along an important road to Shinano (Nagano) and the presence of other nearby castles, it is surmised that it was still in use but the details are not clear. After the fall of the Takeda, the Tokugawa and Hojo fought for control of the Kai region and Hojo took control of Yato Castle. Most of the structures, ringed baileys, moats and earthen embankments that you see today were built at this time.

Visit Notes

There is also an infrequent bus from Nagasaka Sta. This is a fairly interesting castle with lots of baileys in concentric circles. At the foot of Yatsugatake, it had a fairly good view of the surroundings without being on a high mountain. The perfect location for a castle.
長坂駅からのバスもあるそうですが、本数が少ないです。同心円上に土塁や空堀を配した輪状郭群の構造が結構面白いです。八ヶ岳の麓にあることであまり高い山になくても眺望がよくて、やっぱり城を築くのに適した場所でしょう。

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Gallery

Second Bailey, trench and earthen embankment
Trench near the entrance
Fourth Bailey
North Obikuruwa Bailey and earthen embankments
North Obikuruwa Bailey and earthen embankments
Second Bailey, trench and earthen embankment
Third Bailey and trench
Main Bailey
Entrance to the main bailey
Second Bailey trench
Second Bailey trench
Earthen embankment of the first bailey
Entrance to the first bailey
Second bailey
Second bailey
First Bailey
Third bailey and trench
Second bailey and trench
Southern entrance to the Second/Third Bailey
South Obikuruwa Bailey
West Obikuruwa Bailey
Third Bailey
Third Bailey
North Obikuruwa Bailey
Outside the west obikuruwa bailey
Karamete Entrance
Karamete Entrance
Map
Diorama of Yato Castle

Castle Profile
English Name	Yato Castle
Japanese Name	谷戸城
Alternate Names	Chausuyama-jo
Founder	Minamoto no Kiyomitsu (Henmi Kiyomitsu)
Year Founded	12th C.
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Kai Koizumi Sta (Yatsugatake Kougen Line), walk 45 mins; Nagasaka Sta. (Chou Line), walk 60 mins.
Visitor Information	Museum is open 9-5, closed Mondays unless it's a holiday, then the following day. Closed 12/28-1/4. 200 yen
Time Required	60 mins
Website	http://www.city.hokuto.yamanashi.jp/genre/detail/1764/
Location	Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 51' 25.31" N, 138° 23' 10.03" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2016
Admin Year Visited	2015
Admin Visits	September 22, 2015

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