Nagaiwa Castle is a mountain castle located at Kawaraguchi, and was the residence of the powerful Nonaka clan, who ruled Shimoge County for 22 generations, 390 years. It was built in Kenkyu 9 (1198) by the first lord of the castle, Nonaka Shigefusa, and was expanded and remodeled during the Northern and Southern Courts and Warring States periods. In Tensho 16 (1588), it was attacked and captured by the large army of Kuroda Nagamasa, and was subsequently abandoned.
The castle was built on the steep, conical Ogiyama (530m above sea level, 230m above sea level) and the surrounding spurs and valleys. This area is a steep, cliff-lined region, and the castle cleverly took advantage of these natural fortifications, supplementing places where enemies could easily invade, such as gaps between the cliffs, with artificial defensive facilities such as stone ramparts, gun emplacements, and trenches, making it an original and highly fortified mountain castle.
The castle was built on the steep, conical Ogiyama (530m above sea level, 230m above sea level) and the surrounding spurs and valleys. This area is a steep, cliff-lined region, and the castle cleverly took advantage of these natural fortifications, supplementing places where enemies could easily invade, such as gaps between the cliffs, with artificial defensive facilities such as stone ramparts, gun emplacements, and trenches, making it an original and highly fortified mountain castle.
The main castle (honmaru) is located at the top of the main peak, Ogiyama. At the 7th station, this mountain is surrounded on three sides, the east, north and west, by cut stones about 4-10m high, the south side is a deep valley, and to the rear, a ridge leads to a range of rocky mountains. Nishide Castle (Nishinodai) is located on the western subsidiary peak, Higashide Castle (Higashinodai) is located on the eastern slope, and another outpost is located on the rocky mountain opposite across the valley. The defenses were strengthened in three tiers, with Ichinoshirodo, Ninoshirodo, and Sannoshirodo, along the valley stream. Remains of a camp and a horse riding ground can also be seen.
Nagaiwa Castle is unique in that it is large for a medieval mountain castle of a local clan, and has many excellent stone masonry structures such as stone ramparts and gun emplacements. There are more than 20 stone masonry structures covering a total of more than 700 meters. In particular, the stone masonry tower "Oval Gun Emplacement," which is said to have had gun loops, is the oldest stone tower in Japan and has a peephole, making it a valuable relic unlike any other in the country.
Another feature is that the masonry stones are all flat, iron-like stones. The castle ruins were partially restored in 1984 by a local preservation society.
[Prefectural designated historic site (designated March 29, 2011)]
Nagaiwa Castle is unique in that it is large for a medieval mountain castle of a local clan, and has many excellent stone masonry structures such as stone ramparts and gun emplacements. There are more than 20 stone masonry structures covering a total of more than 700 meters. In particular, the stone masonry tower "Oval Gun Emplacement," which is said to have had gun loops, is the oldest stone tower in Japan and has a peephole, making it a valuable relic unlike any other in the country.
Another feature is that the masonry stones are all flat, iron-like stones. The castle ruins were partially restored in 1984 by a local preservation society.
[Prefectural designated historic site (designated March 29, 2011)]
Details
Address | 〒871-0414 Oita Prefecture Nakatsu City Yabakei Town Kawaharaguchi |
Opening
hours | ー |
Closed days | ー |
TEL | 0979-54-3111 (Nakatsu City Yabakei Branch Office Regional Promotion Division) |
Parking | Yes. There is a parking lot at the trailhead. If the parking lot is full, please park at the former Nagaiwa Elementary School a little further ahead. |
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