Nerima Castle (練馬城 Nerima-jō) was constructed in the Muromachi Period. It is located in present-day Koyama, in the Nerima Ward of Tōkyō on the grounds of the former Toshimaen Amusement Park.
Nerima Castle was probably built by the Toshima clan (豊島氏) at the end of the 14th century as a branch fortress of Shakujii Castle. According to legend, a certain Yano Shōgen (矢野将監) lived at this castle, which is why it was also called "Yano Yashiki" or "Yano Yamashiro". Another legend claims that someone by the name of Ebina Sakon (海老名左近) later settled there or in the valley to the north.
Toshimaen Amusement Park closed on 31 August 2020; it was originally conceived as a castle site park with playgrounds named after the Toshima clan. In 1476, the Toshima fought alongside Nagao Kageharu (長尾景春, 1433-1514) against the Uesugi clans of Yamauchi and Ōgigayatsu. During this rebellion, Nerima Castle and Shakujii Castle, both located between the two Uesugi castles of Edo and Kawagoe, played a significant role in cutting off communication between the Uesugi strongholds. The following year, on 13 April 1477, Ōta Dōkan, who served the Ōgigayatsu Uesugi as major-domo (執事 shitsuji) from his base at Edo Castle, attacked Nerima Castle and set fire to the surrounding area.
Following Dōkan's attack, Toshima Yasuaki (豊島泰明), based at Nerima Castle, alarmed his brother Yasutsune at Shakujii Castle and set out with his entire army. The two sides clashed in the Battle of Egota and Numabukurohara (江古田・沼袋原の戦い Egota Numabukuro hara no tatakai). Yasuaki and dozens of Toshima retainers were killed, while Yasutsune and other survivors, withdrew to Shakujii Castle. The prevailing theory is that Dōkan had set up an ambush in the vicinity of Egota. It is unclear what happened to Nerima Castle, but the castle was likely abandoned after Yasuaki's death and the defeat of his followers at Shakujii Castle. Most historians believed that Hiratsuka Castle was the first castle ever attacked by Dōkan, but it seems more likely that it was Nerima Castle.
The castle site is situated on a plateau on the south side of the Shakujii River, in the proximity of Toshimaen Hydropolis (豊島園のハイドロポリス) and a residential area. There are hardly any remains of ancient structures. The blue dotted line in the map below corresponds to what was believed to be the original castle grounds.
Based on a map of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
I do not usually visit castles without remains. However, giving in to my daughter's imploration to visit the amusement park, we decided to go to Toshimaen. Nerima Castle was located on the plateau to the left of the main entrance. The reason why the amusement park was named Toshima-en was its relation to the Toshima clan. The local Tokyo ward also took its name from the castle (練馬区 Nerima-ku). Toshima-ku (豊島区) is adjacent to Nerima and famous for the town of Ikebukuro.
Most of the attractions of the amusement park were located on the northern side of the Shakujii River. While crossing the bridge, I turned around and took a photograph, but no remnants resemble a former castle.
I found another vantage point. As 'Flume Ride' reached over the Shakujii River and turns back to the northern bank, I could take the photo below.
As described above, Toshimaen already closed in 2020. And then the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Nerima Ward are going to purchase the land and to construct a "Nerima Castle Park".
Date of visit: 28 October 2013
Nerima Castle was probably built by the Toshima clan (豊島氏) at the end of the 14th century as a branch fortress of Shakujii Castle. According to legend, a certain Yano Shōgen (矢野将監) lived at this castle, which is why it was also called "Yano Yashiki" or "Yano Yamashiro". Another legend claims that someone by the name of Ebina Sakon (海老名左近) later settled there or in the valley to the north.
Toshimaen Amusement Park closed on 31 August 2020; it was originally conceived as a castle site park with playgrounds named after the Toshima clan. In 1476, the Toshima fought alongside Nagao Kageharu (長尾景春, 1433-1514) against the Uesugi clans of Yamauchi and Ōgigayatsu. During this rebellion, Nerima Castle and Shakujii Castle, both located between the two Uesugi castles of Edo and Kawagoe, played a significant role in cutting off communication between the Uesugi strongholds. The following year, on 13 April 1477, Ōta Dōkan, who served the Ōgigayatsu Uesugi as major-domo (執事 shitsuji) from his base at Edo Castle, attacked Nerima Castle and set fire to the surrounding area.
Following Dōkan's attack, Toshima Yasuaki (豊島泰明), based at Nerima Castle, alarmed his brother Yasutsune at Shakujii Castle and set out with his entire army. The two sides clashed in the Battle of Egota and Numabukurohara (江古田・沼袋原の戦い Egota Numabukuro hara no tatakai). Yasuaki and dozens of Toshima retainers were killed, while Yasutsune and other survivors, withdrew to Shakujii Castle. The prevailing theory is that Dōkan had set up an ambush in the vicinity of Egota. It is unclear what happened to Nerima Castle, but the castle was likely abandoned after Yasuaki's death and the defeat of his followers at Shakujii Castle. Most historians believed that Hiratsuka Castle was the first castle ever attacked by Dōkan, but it seems more likely that it was Nerima Castle.
The castle site is situated on a plateau on the south side of the Shakujii River, in the proximity of Toshimaen Hydropolis (豊島園のハイドロポリス) and a residential area. There are hardly any remains of ancient structures. The blue dotted line in the map below corresponds to what was believed to be the original castle grounds.
Based on a map of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
I do not usually visit castles without remains. However, giving in to my daughter's imploration to visit the amusement park, we decided to go to Toshimaen. Nerima Castle was located on the plateau to the left of the main entrance. The reason why the amusement park was named Toshima-en was its relation to the Toshima clan. The local Tokyo ward also took its name from the castle (練馬区 Nerima-ku). Toshima-ku (豊島区) is adjacent to Nerima and famous for the town of Ikebukuro.
Most of the attractions of the amusement park were located on the northern side of the Shakujii River. While crossing the bridge, I turned around and took a photograph, but no remnants resemble a former castle.
I found another vantage point. As 'Flume Ride' reached over the Shakujii River and turns back to the northern bank, I could take the photo below.
As described above, Toshimaen already closed in 2020. And then the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Nerima Ward are going to purchase the land and to construct a "Nerima Castle Park".
Date of visit: 28 October 2013
Access:
- Address: 3-25-1 Kōyama, Nerima-ku, Tōkyō 176-0022
- Access: a 5-minute walk from Seibu Toshimayen Line, Toei Oedo Line Toshimaen Station.
- Parking: Toshimaen Parking (paid: Spot 'P' pointed on the above map)
- Other sights: Toshimaen Amusement Park (closed in August 2020)