リンク、参考情報～Links and References – ページ 53 – 日本200名城バイリンガル (Japan's top 200 castles and ruins)

121.Motosakura Castle Part3

How to get there from Osakura Station

Later History

After Motosakura Castle was abandoned, the political center of this area was moved to Sakura Castle, about 5km west of Motosakura Castle. The ruins of Motosakura Castle have been focused on recently. They were designated as a National Historic Site in 1998. Shisui Town which partly owns the ruins has been studying them since 2005 to develop them as a historical park.

The entrance of the Settei-yama Enclosure

Overlooking the other dry moat around the Settei-yama Enclosure

The bottom of the other dry moat around the Settei-yama Enclosure

My Impression

I didn’t notice there were the castle ruins along the Keisei Line until I visited them even though I sometimes went Narita Airport using the line. My visit to the ruins was like a small adventure. I guess that Japan has many of these kinds of castle ruins. I will enjoy them more, while making safety a priority.

The starting point for the Higashi-yama Enclosure

A view when you overlook from the Higashi-yama Enclosure

How to get There

It takes about 15 minutes from Osakura Station on the Keisei line.
To reach the ruins, go straight on the road along the southern side of the train line. The road goes into a small settlement and divides into two branches; then turn left. Next, turn right at the next intersection in accordance with the guide sign. After that, turn left at the other guide sign. You will eventually reach the northern side of the ruins.

Go straight on the road along the southern side of the train line

Go on the road along the train line again

If you want to visit there by car:
It is about 10 minutes away from Shisui IC on Higashi-Kanto Expressway.
The ruins offer a parking lot.

Links and References

・The brochure of Motosakura Castle (Shiaui Town Website)

That’s all.
Back to “Motosakura Castle Part1”
Back to “Motosakura Castle Part2”

121.本佐倉城　その３

大佐倉駅からの行き方

その後

本佐倉城が廃城となった後、この地域の政治の中心地は、本佐倉城から約５ｋｍ西にある佐倉城に移っていきました。本佐倉城跡が注目されたのは最近のことです。1998年には国の史跡に指定されました。この城跡を部分的に所有している酒々井町は、2005年以来歴史公園として整備するため、城跡の研究を進めています。

私の感想

私は成田空港に行くのに度々京成線を使っていましたが、この城跡を実際に訪れるまでは、線路沿いにあるとは気が付きませんでした。この城跡への訪問はちょっとした冒険のようでした。日本にはこのような城跡が沢山あるのでしょう。安全最優先ではありますが、これからもっと楽しみたいと思います。

ここに行くには

京成線の大佐倉駅から歩いて約１５分かかります。
城跡に行くには、線路の南側を真っすぐ進んでください。道は小集落に入っていき、二つに分かれますが、左の方に行ってください。次に、案内標識に従って次の交差点で右に曲がってください。その後、もう一つ標識がありますので、それで左に曲がります。そのうちに城跡の北側に到着します。

車で行く場合：
東関東自動車道の酒々井ICから約１０分のところです。
城跡に駐車場があります。

リンク・参考情報

・よみがえる本佐倉城跡、酒々井町ホームページ
・「歴史群像６５号、戦国の城　下総本佐倉城」学研
・「日本の城改訂版第１３４号」デアゴスティーニジャパン

これで終わります。
「本佐倉城その１」に戻ります。
「本佐倉城その２」に戻ります。

160.Imori Castle Part3

The ruins are becoming a National Historic Site.

Later History

Imori Mountain was developed as a tourist spot in the Modern Times. For example, the statue of Masatsura Kusunoki and the stand for hoisting the national flag were built on the top. In addition, an amusement park was built on the Senjojiki Enclosure during the early Showa Era which might have destroyed part of the castle ruins. Shijonawate and Daito Citys, which own the ruins of Imori Castle dividedly, have recently been excavating the ruins. That’s why new discoveries such as the stone walls are often found. They aim to have the ruins designated as a National Historic Site.

*The remaining stone walls at the eastern side of the Main Enclosure* (quoted from the Daito City Website)

My Impression

I think visiting the ruins of Imori Castle is like killing two birds with one stone. You can see the castle ruins while taking a hike. In addition, you may find a new discovery from the recent excavation with every visit.

As for Nagayoshi Miyoshi, if he lived a little longer, the Japanese history might have been different. Nobunaga Oda would not have gotten to Kyoto that easily, so his unification of Japan would be impossible. Nobunaga was not only strong, but also very fortunate.

Part of the *portrait of Nagayoshi Miyoshi, owned by Juko-in of Daitokuji Temple (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

How to get There

It takes about one and a half hours from Shijonawate Station or Nozaki Station on JR Gakuen-toshi line to the castle ruins on foot.
To get to the stations from Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express, transfer to the Osaka-Higashi Line at Shin-Osaka Station, and transfer to the Gakuen-toshi Line at Hanaten Station.

Links and References

・Daito City Website
・Shijonawate City Website

That’s all.
Back to “Imori Castle Part1”
Back to “Imori Castle Part2”