Hikone Castle, nestled in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, is categorized as a hirayama-jiro, a castle strategically built on a low hill with the surrounding flatlands integrated into its design. Remarkably, it stands as one of Japan's twelve castles with its original tower keep intact, proudly holding the distinction of being one of only five designated as National Treasures. The castle's inception dates back to 1603, commissioned by Ii Naomasa.
Originally, the Hikone region fell under the control of Ishida Mitsunari, who fortified his main castle on nearby Mt. Sawayama. However, following his defeat by Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, the Ishida domain faced turmoil, with Sawayama suffering partial destruction. Seizing the opportunity, Ieyasu bestowed the strategically vital lands upon his trusted ally, General Ii Naomasa. Disdainful of the associations with Ishida Mitsunari, Naomasa opted to build a larger, more formidable castle closer to Lake Biwa's eastern shores, a decision that birthed Hikone Castle.
Though Naomasa passed away before its completion in 1602, his sons, Naotsugu and later Naotaka, oversaw the twenty-year construction period. Given the ongoing military conflicts, many structures within Hikone Castle were repurposed from other castles, exemplifying resourcefulness amidst turmoil. For instance, the main keep of Hikone originated from Otsu Castle, dismantled after the Battle of Sekigahara. Hikone's keep, adorned with 18 sets of hafu (triangular roofing devices), stands as a testament to its architectural magnificence.
Renowned for its defensive prowess, Hikone Castle boasts ingenious features to thwart potential attackers. The sloping path leading to the central bailey, although appearing gentle, is deliberately designed with varying step dimensions to impede momentum and balance. The castle's Rokabashi Bridge, collapsible and strategically positioned, further deters intruders, enhancing the stronghold's impregnability.
Moreover, Hikone Castle harbors hidden secrets within its walls, including a small triangular-shaped chamber within the hafu. This clandestine room, accessible through a discreet hatchway, is believed to have been designed for ritual suicide in dire circumstances, ensuring the lord's dignity in defeat.
Beyond its defensive fortifications, Hikone Castle's allure extends to its picturesque surroundings, including the tranquil Genkyu Rakuen gardens and the historic Keyaki Goten palace residence. A visit to the castle museum offers insights into the legacy of the Ii clan, showcasing original artifacts and weaponry used by the family.
Shiga Prefecture's National Treasure, Hikone Castle, stands as a testament to Japan's feudal heritage and architectural prowess, inviting visitors to explore its rich history and timeless beauty.
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Kubota Castle
The founder of the castle is considered to be Satake Yoshinobu (1570–1633). Yoshinobu was one of the six great generals of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. During the Odawara Campaign of 1590, he took part in the siege of Oshi Castle under the command of Ishida Mitsunari, with whom Yoshinobu developed a good relationship.
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Kavanhoe Castle
Kawanoe Castle is located on the small Wasi-yama hill near the port area of the Kawanoe district in the city of Shikokuchuo, occupying a central position along the northern coast of Shikoku Island. Kawanoe was also known as Butsuden Castle. The term “butsuden” in Japan refers to temple halls, and for this reason it is believed that a Buddhist temple once stood on the site before the castle was built. Due to its location at the junction of four provinces on Shikoku Island, Kawanoe held significant strategic importance and was repeatedly targeted by rival forces seeking military control over the region.
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Yokote Castle
The founder of the castle is considered to be the Onodera clan. The Onodera were originally a minor clan from Shimotsuke Province and served Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199), the founder of the first shogunate. The Onodera distinguished themselves in battle against the Fujiwara clan of the Ōshū branch and were rewarded with lands around Yokote. Around the 14th century, the Onodera moved to Yokote as their permanent residence. Their original stronghold was Numadate Castle, but after a series of clashes with the powerful Nambu clan, they relocated their base to the site of present-day Yokote Castle. It was likely during this time that the first fortifications appeared at the castle.
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Wakayama Castle
Wakayama Castle was built in 1585, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered his uterine brother, Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hidenaga, to construct a castle on the site of the recently captured Ota Castle. The purpose of this construction was to secure control over the likewise newly conquered Province of Kii. Following an already established tradition, Hidenaga entrusted the project to his castle-building expert, Todo Takatora. Takatora carefully inspected the future castle site, personally drew up several designs, created a model of the planned castle, and took part in the work of laying out the grounds (nawabari). For the construction he brought in more than 10,000 workers and completed the large-scale project within a single year, which was considered extremely fast by the standards of the time.
Toyama Castle
Toyama Castle is located almost in the very center of the former province of Etchū and is surrounded by a wide plain with a large number of rivers. The very first castle on the banks of the Jinzu River was built in 1543 by Jimbo Nagamoto. The Jimbo clan were vassals of the Hatakeyama clan and governed the western part of Etchū Province. The eastern part of the province belonged to their rivals, the Shiina clan, who were also Hatakeyama vassals. Beginning in the 15th century, the influence of the ancient Hatakeyama clan gradually weakened, and as a result, the Jimbo and the Shiina fought constant wars for control of the province. Meanwhile, the forces of the Ikkō-ikki movement periodically intervened, helping first one side and then the other.
Takada Castle
During the Sengoku period, the lands where Takada Castle would later be built were part of Echigo Province and were controlled by the Uesugi clan.
Kishiwada Castle
The celebrated 14th-century military commander Kusunoki Masashige (1294–1336), who owned extensive lands south of what is now the city of Osaka, ordered one of his vassals, Kishiwada Osamu, to build a fortified residence. This order was carried out around 1336. These fortifications became the first structures on the site of what would later become Kishiwada Castle. From the beginning, the castle stood in a strategically important location—roughly halfway between the cities of Wakayama and Osaka, south of the key port of Sakai. Because of this position, it changed hands several times during periods of warfare.
Kaminoyama Castle
Kamino-yama Castle stood at the center of an important logistics hub, in the middle of the Yonezawa Plain, which served as the gateway to the western part of the Tohoku region. Roads connecting the Aizu, Fukushima, and Yamagata areas intersected here.
