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Castle Iwadono Castle

This article is in the series Walking the Japanese Castles
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Iwadono Castle (岩殿城 Iwadono-jō) is a hilltop castle located in Ōtsuki, Yamanashi Prefecture. Arriving at JR Ōtsuki Station, you will find a huge cliff towering on the northern side of the valley: over 150 metres in height, Iwadonoyama is a magnificent rock. Iwadono Castle was constructed on top of Mount Iwadono and was known as impregnable in the Sengoku Period.

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

History

In the ninth century, a Buddhist temple of the Tendai School, Entsu-ji (円通寺), was founded on the mountain. The temple complex, a famous place of practice in the 13th century, was known as Iwadono Gongen (岩殿権現). Later, the Oyamada clan made Iwadonoyama their base. Initially opposed to the Takeda, the Oyamada clan was subdued in 1509 and served the Takeda. Iwadono Castle was a strategically important fortress in the border regions of the Kai, Sagami and Musashi provinces. Gunnai District also linked the Kantō Plain to the Kōfu Basin.

After having been defeated by the forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Battle of Tenmokuzan (天目山の戦い Tenmokuzan no Tatakai) in 1582, Takeda Katsuyori, the son of Takeda Shingen, burned down Shinpu Castle (in modern-day Nirasaki City, Yamanashi ) and escaped to Iwadono Castle to seek shelter with Oyamada Nobushige (小山田信茂, 1545-1582), one of Shingen's Twenty-Four Generals. Nobushige, however, denied entry to Katsuyori and his entourage. Katsuyori, his wife, Hōjō Masako, and his son Nobukatsu all committed seppuku at Mount Tenmoku while the Takeda's last handful of followers fended off the enemy. The end of the Takeda clan had come. Nobushige was later executed by Nobunaga for his "un-samurai-like" comportment.

Topography

The northern and southern side of Mount Iwadono consists of precipitous cliffs. There are routes on the eastern and western sides of the mountain, but they are narrow and steep; they do not allow for the movement of larger troop contingents. Furthermore, the Katsura River runs in a deep valley south of the castle, and the Kazuno River in the east. The mountaintop itself was relatively flat, which is where the man and the second enclosure, as well as a riding ground, were established.


Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

The map is based on the Digital Japan Portal Web Site powered by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, the location of the enclosures are based on my estimates.

Having spent the day in Kōfu, I arrived at JR Otsuki Station at 4 pm. Because there was no time, I hurried to the castle. Walking along the track, crossing the Katsura River, I reached the starting point of the Mount Iwadono path. If you arrive by car, there is a parking lot near the bridge.

① The starting point of the climb up Mount Iwadono.

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

② The information centre and museum at the base of the mountain. However, it had already closed at 4 pm. I had to push on to return before sunset.

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

The site of Agekido Gate. Close to the ridge, it was a strong and natural gate.

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

③ The largest open space on top of the ridge was very constricted but said to be used as a riding ground. While steep mountain fortresses offer an ideal natural defence, they are very limited regarding troops and material.

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)


Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

④ Finally, I arrived at the main enclosure. It had taken me a good hour from the station at a brisk pace. However, it was quite disappointing to see the radio installations after such a hard climb. Interestingly, Mount Iwadono has an altitude of 634 metres which is exactly the height of Tokyo Sky Tree (of course, their relative height is different).

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

This was a trench at the eastern side of the main enclosure; this narrow and slip slope was quite a challenge.

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

Below is the view from the observatory on the former riding grounds. When the Takeda sent their troops to Kantō, they would march through this valley.

Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)

Since I had started to walk the castles, my legs should have gained strength, but I suffered from terrible muscle aches after climbing Iwadono Castle.

Date of visit: 17 August 2013

Access:

  • Address: Nigiokamachi Iwadono, Ōtsuki-shi, Yamanashi
  • Transportation: a 20-minute walk from JR Chūō Line Ōtsuki Station to the foot of the mountain
    3 kilometres from Chūō Expressway Ōtsuki Interchange via National Route 20
  • Other sights: Mt. Iwadono Guide Map (Ōtsuki City Website, in Japanese)
Next article in the series 'Walking the Japanese Castles': Hachioji Castle
Previous article in the series 'Walking the Japanese Castles': Kofu Castle
About author
Hiroto Uehara
Hiroto is an ordinary Japanese office worker, but his true mission is searching for castles on the weekend.

Comments

Very nice write-up! I have been cycling there a couple of times, usually starting at Otsuki Station, then taking R139 up to Matsuhime-toge. I guess we need to stop at Iwadono Castle next time. :)
 

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