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34.Nanao Castle Part3

Watch out for wild animals.

Features

You can also visit other enclosures near the Main Enclosure. For instance, the Nukui Residence is next to the Sakura Riding Ground. It has the ruins of its entrance which was built using a huge stone called Kyu-shaku-ishi or 2.7m Wide Stone, which might have been the Back Gate of the castle.

The ruins of its entrance which was built using a huge stone called 2.7m Wide Stone

The Second Enclosure is the next to the Nukui Residence, which was also an important defensive point. Finally, the Third Enclosure is over another large deep ditch. Unfortunately, you will have to go up and down the stairs on very steep cliffs to get there.

The imaginary drawing of the Second Enclosure (from the signboard at the site)

Later History

In the Edo Period after Nanao Castle was abandoned, the Kaga Domain banned people from cutting down trees around the mountain. This prevented farmers cutting down trees and materials. The study of the ruins started about 100 years ago, and as a result, the ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1934. Nanao City has been maintaining the ruins since 1966. The city is planning to provide a fine landscape in the main portion and develop the Main Route from the foot of the mountain while preserving the ruins properly.

The city view of Nanao City from the castle ruins

The Main Route to the main portion of the castle

My Impression

I saw the signboard at the site that wonders of wild boars that often dig up the ruins. When I walked down from the Second Enclosure to get to the Third Enclosure, I noticed the back of a wild boar. I have been told that wild boars can attack you suddenly without warning. Therefore, I decided to give up to get there and head back. Visiting mountain castles is very interesting as long as you take precaution. Be careful not to provoke wild animals, as they can attack you unknowingly.

The signboard that tells about wild boars

How to get There

I recommend using a car when you visit the ruins.
If you want to go directly to the main portion of the castle,
It is about 15 minutes away from Nanao-Shiroyama IC on the Noto Expressway.
If you want to walk from the foot of the mountain,
I would recommend parking at the Nanao Castle History Museum. it takes about one hour to the top going through the Main Route.

Links and References

・Historic Site Nanao Castle Ruis, Nanao City

That’s all. Thank you.
Back to “Nanao Castle Part1”
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34.七尾城　その３

野性動物には気を付けましょう。

特徴、見どころ

本丸の近くの他の曲輪にも行ってみましょう。温井屋敷は桜馬場のとなりにあります。ここには九尺石と呼ばれる巨石を使った入口の跡があります。ここは城の搦手門だった可能性があります。

二の丸は温井屋敷のとなりにあり、ここも城を守る上で重要な拠点でした。最後に、三の丸はもう一方の堀切の向こう側にあります。そこに行くには、急崖にある階段を上り下りしなければなりません。

その後

七尾城が廃城となった後の江戸時代には、加賀藩はこの山周辺の伐採を禁じていました。農民が木材その他の資材を切り出すことはできませんでした。城跡の研究は約１００年前から始まりました。その結果、1934年には城跡は国の史跡に指定されました。七尾市は1966年から城跡の維持管理を行っています。市は、城跡の遺産を保護しつつ、主要部の眺望を良くし、山麓から伸びる大手道を整備することを計画しています。

私の感想

現地説明板にはイノシシが城跡を掘り起こしてしまっているという事が書かれていました。実際私が二の丸から三の丸に行こうと崖を下っていたとき、イノシシの後ろ姿に気が付きました。イノシシに突然遭遇したときには襲われる可能性があると聞いていましたので、三の丸に行くのはあきらめ、引き返しました。山城を訪れるのはとても面白いのですが、気を付けるべきこともあります。野生動物に不意に襲われないためには、彼らを刺激しないようにしましょう。

ここに行くには

ここを訪れるときには車を使われることをお勧めします。
城の主要部に直接行く場合には、能登自動車道の七尾城山ICから約１５分かかります。
山麓から歩かれる場合には、七尾城史資料館に駐車してから、大手道を通って頂上まで約１時間かかります。

リンク、参考情報

・史跡七尾城跡、七尾市
・「戦国の山城を極める　厳選２２城／加藤理文　中井均著」学研プラス
・「日本の城改訂版第５５号」デアゴスティーニジャパン
・史跡七尾城整備基本計画書、七尾市教育委員会

これで終わります。ありがとうございました。
「七尾城その１」に戻ります。
「七尾城その２」に戻ります。

103.Namioka Castle Part3

The ruins were featured as those for the Southern Court.

Features

House in Aomori-shi Middle Ages

On the way of the ruins from Namioka Station, you can also visit the House in the Aomori-shi Middle Ages to learn more about the castle. It is a historical museum which exhibits the findings about the castle from the excavation and the study. For example, you can see the restored high-class reception hall called Kokonoma in the Main Hall for the lord, the miniature model of the North Enclosure, and the unearthed traded items such as
Luzon Pots.

The restored interior of the high-class reception hall, exhibited by the House in the Aomori-shi Middle Ages

An unearthed Luzon Pot, exhibited by the House in the Aomori-shi Middle Ages

Later History

After Namioka Castle was abandoned, the ruins were used as farms in the Edo Period. In the Meiji Period, the Kitabatake Clan was featured because the clan devotedly served the Southern Court which the government decided as orthodox. The study for the castle was accordingly started. The monument to honor the Kitabatake Clan was built and cherry trees were also planted since then . The castle ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1940, which was the first case for Aomori Pref. The excavation of the castle was launched in 1977. Finally, the ruins were open to the public as a historical park in 1998.

The monument to honor the Kitabatake Clan, which was built in the Meiji Era at the Inner Enclosure

The ruins of Namioka Castle covered with cherry blossoms, exhibited by the House in the Aomori-shi Middle Ages

My Impression

Visiting the ruins of Namioka Castle, I have learned that the castle was rather a symbol of peace than the fortress for battle even when many battles happened in the 15th and 16th Centuries called the Sengoku Period. I think that the ruins of this castle are very important site which shows that fact. In addition, the best season for visiting there is definitely in the spring, as the cherry blossoms around the ruins bloom. On the other hand, you should probably try to avoid visiting there in the winter, as the park is basically closed and you sometimes have to walk in the snow to see the ruins, like what happened to me when I visited the castle in winter.

The Information Center is also closed in the winter

How to get There

If you want to visit there by car:
It is about 10 minutes away from Namioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
There is a parking lot beside the Information Center in the eastern part of the ruins.
By train, it is over 30 minutes away from Namioka Station on foot.
I recommend using a taxi from the station to avoid getting lost. You can go directly to the Inner Enclosure though the western entrance of the ruins by the taxi.
To get to Namioka Station from Tokyo: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen super express and transfer at Shin-Aomori Station to the Ohu Line.

That’s all. Thank you.
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