その後～Later History – ページ 72 – 日本200名城バイリンガル (Japan's top 200 castles and ruins)

33.Takaoka Castle Part3

Why the ruins are so great even though they only existed for a short time?

Later History

After Takaoka Castle was officially abandoned, Takaoka City prospered with trading. The Kaga Domain banned people entering the ruins of Takaoka Castle to preserve it. However, after the Meiji Restoration, the ruins were sold to private section. They were turned into residential or office area. . On the other hand, many people were worried about it and started to make the ruins a park at the same time. They established Takaoka Castle Ruins Park in 1875, developed it and completely removed the residences and offices in 1909. Since then, many public facilities were built on the park. There was even a baseball ground in the Main Enclosure once after World War II. Finally, the ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 2015.

The old photo of the park in the late Meiji Ara, exhibited by the Takaoka City Museum

“The current map of Takaoka Map” between 1948 and 1950, exhibited by the Takaoka City Museum

The monument of the ruins of Takaoka Castle as a National Historic Site

My Impression

When I visited the ruins of Takaoka Castle, I was wondering why the ruins still have so large enclosures and water moats even though the castle only existed for a short time. In the cases of other castles being abandoned at the same time as Takaoka Castle, they were often destroyed or left alone. After visiting, I learned that the foundation and the water moats of the castle may have been built for a long time. I also learned that the Kaga Domain and local people made great efforts to maintain the ruins as well. That’s why the ruins remain very well and a very popular attraction in this area.

The remaining enclosure and water moat in the castle ruins

There is even a waterfall in the castle ruins

A view of Takaoka City from the castle ruins

How to get There

If you want to visit there by car:
It is about 15 minutes away from Takaoka IC on the Noetsu Expressway.
There are some parking lots in the park.
if you go there by train, it’s about 15 minutes walk from Takaoka Station.
To get to Takaoka Station from Tokyo: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen super express and transfer at Toyama Station to the Ainokaze Toyama Railway.

The location map of the park at the site

That’s all. Thank you.
Back to “Takaoka Castle Part1”
Back to “Takaoka Castle Part2”

33.高岡城　その３

短命に終わった城の跡地が、なぜこんなによく残っているのでしょうか？

その後

高岡城が公式に廃城となった後、高岡は商業で栄えました。加賀藩は、高岡城跡を保護するため、人々の立ち入りを禁止しました。ところが、明治維新後、城跡は民間に売却されてしまいます。そして住宅や会社が建てられました。一方で、その状況を憂慮する人たちは、同時に城跡を公園化する活動を開始します。そして、1875年に高岡城址公園が設立され、拡張されていき、1909年には全ての住宅や会社が立ち退きとなりました。それ以来、多くの公的施設が公園に建設されました。第二次世界大戦後には、一時本丸に野球場さえありました。最終的には、城跡は2015年に国の史跡に指定されました。

私の感想

高岡城跡を訪れたとき私は、城があったのは短い期間なのに、なぜ城跡に広大な曲輪や水堀がいまだに残っているのか不思議に思いました。高岡城と同じ時期に廃城となった他の城の場合では、大抵は破壊されたり、放置されたりしています。城跡に行った後、城の基礎部分と水堀が実は長い期間かけて作られたかもしれないことを学びました。また、加賀藩や地元の人たちが大変な努力をして城跡を維持してきたことも知りました。そのために城跡が良好な状態で残り、この地域でとて有名な行楽地になっているのです。

ここに行くには

車で行く場合：
能越自動車道の高岡ICから約１５分かかります。
公園の中にいくつかの駐車場があります。
電車で行かれる場合は、高岡駅から歩いて約１５分かかります。
東京から高岡駅まで：北陸新幹線に乗り、富山駅であいの風とやま鉄道に乗り換えてください。

リンク、参考情報

・国指定史跡「高岡城跡」、高岡市立博物館
・高岡古城公園、公式ウェブサイト
・「加賀藩二代藩主　前田利長が造った城／杉本宏著」２２世紀アート
・「日本の城改訂版第４６」号」デアゴスティーニジャパン
・「よみがえる日本の城８」学研

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

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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