The nature of the lords really reflected those of their castles.
Later History
The ruins of Kasugayama Castle were abandoned for a long time. In 1901, the Kasugayama Shrine was founded at the mid slope of the mountain. Since then, cedar trees were planted to cover the mountain. However, Joetsu City, who owns the ruins, is now cutting them down for visitors to see the enclosures on the mountain clearly. The excavation has just begun to reveal the castle. The ruins have been designated as a National Historic Site since 1935.
The Kasugayama ShrineThe picture of the ruins of Kasugayama Castle about 100 years ago (Joetsu City Buried Cultural Property Center)The main portion of the castle from the Koguchi entrance at the Back Route
My Impression
When I visited the ruins of Kasugayama Castle, I felt that this castle is more open than other mountain castles such as the Hojo Clan’s. It could be because the castle had few defensive structures like earthen walls and dry moats for its so many enclosures. I think this comes from Kenshin Uesugi’s personality. He always fought outside of the castle and was never besieged. The castle was not actually attacked by enemies at all in Kenshin’s period. I have also been reminded that the nature of the lords really reflected those of their castles.
The guide map of the castle ruins ( from the signboard at the site)Overlooking the enclosures from the Main EnclosureKenshin Uesugi on a horse drawn by the folding screen drawing of the Kawanakajima Battle
How to get There
If you want to visit there by car: It is about 10 minutes away from Joetsu IC on Hokuriku Expressway. The ruins offer several parking lots. Or it takes about 30 minutes walking from Kasugayama Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway. From Tokyo to Kasugayama Station: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen Super Express and transfer at Joetsu-Myoko Station to the Echigo Tokimeki Railway.
The castle ruins which can be seen on the way from Kasugayama Station
