Inspired by Uehara-san's excellent article on Tsukui Castle, we decided to explore Tsukuiko Shiroyama Park (津久井湖城山公園) in Sagamihara. The hill on which the scarce remnants of Tsukui Castle rest lies in a scenic valley bordering Tsukuiko (津久井湖), an artificial lake created by Shiroyama Dam on the Sagami River completed in 1965. This entry is just a tailpiece of Uehara-san's article, so please refer to his article for the castle's historical details.
Kanachu (Kanagawa Chūō Kōtsu) buses connect JR Hashimoto Station to Lake Tsukui. If you come by car, you can park for free in Negoya near the Park Centre on the southwestern edge of Shiroyama or north of the mountain right next to the lake at Hana no Enchi (花の苑地) Park.
Park Centre (津久井湖城山公園パークセンター)
The western part of Shiroyama is wheelchair accessible: the ramps lead from the Park Centre to the lake.
Your choice: those courageous enough can take the men's path straight up the hill.
The Men's Path.
My wife and the dogs opted for the "Women's Path". I grudgingly complied.
Iizuna Shrine (飯縄神社)
Treasure Pond (宝ヶ池 Takaragaike)
Osugi (大杉), the Large Cedar, struck by lightning in 2013
View of western Tōkyō - somewhere in the haze.
Lake Tsukui seen from the northern slope of Shiroyama
Shiroyama seen from Negoya
I have been cycling around Sagamiko and Tsukuiko for years and know the area relatively well. I have always wanted to hike around Tsukuiko and Shiroyama. However - and please don't tell my wife - the main reason to visit this time was a call on Kubota Shuzō, a small sake brewery in Negoya that's a bit off the beaten track. More about that another time. Suffice to say, we acquired samples of most of their product range.
Kubota Brewery (久保田酒造)
Shiroyama Dam (城山ダム)
Kanachu (Kanagawa Chūō Kōtsu) buses connect JR Hashimoto Station to Lake Tsukui. If you come by car, you can park for free in Negoya near the Park Centre on the southwestern edge of Shiroyama or north of the mountain right next to the lake at Hana no Enchi (花の苑地) Park.
Park Centre (津久井湖城山公園パークセンター)
The western part of Shiroyama is wheelchair accessible: the ramps lead from the Park Centre to the lake.
Your choice: those courageous enough can take the men's path straight up the hill.
The Men's Path.
My wife and the dogs opted for the "Women's Path". I grudgingly complied.
Iizuna Shrine (飯縄神社)
Treasure Pond (宝ヶ池 Takaragaike)
Osugi (大杉), the Large Cedar, struck by lightning in 2013
View of western Tōkyō - somewhere in the haze.
Lake Tsukui seen from the northern slope of Shiroyama
Shiroyama seen from Negoya
I have been cycling around Sagamiko and Tsukuiko for years and know the area relatively well. I have always wanted to hike around Tsukuiko and Shiroyama. However - and please don't tell my wife - the main reason to visit this time was a call on Kubota Shuzō, a small sake brewery in Negoya that's a bit off the beaten track. More about that another time. Suffice to say, we acquired samples of most of their product range.
Kubota Brewery (久保田酒造)
Shiroyama Dam (城山ダム)
