39.Gifu Castle Part3

A popular spot for tourism and history

Later History

After the battle in 1600, Gifu Castle was abandoned, instead, Tokugawa Shogunate built Kano Castle in a nearby plain area. In 1910, the first imitation Main Tower was built by the local people. The present Main Tower is the second generation which was built in 1956. Both of them are seen as important symbols of city and have been contributing to the increase in tourism. As the excavations and studies improve in recent years, the area around Mt. Kinkazan is focused on as a historic spot. As a result, it has been a National Historic Site as the ruins of Gifu Castle since 2011.

The present imitation Main Tower
A view from the top of the mountain

My Impression

I actually thought that the Gifu Castle was just on the top of mountain, until recently. After I visited and learned more about the castle, I found that it offered many perspectives. Especially, Nobunaga Oda received and improved it on his own way. He used the potential abilities of the castle to increase his authority. I think that something new about the castle will be discovered again soon to surprise us.

The replica of the wooden statue of Nobunaga Oda (Gifu Castle Museum)
The ruins of Nobunaga’s residence on the foot of the mountain

How to get There

If you want to visit there by car:
It is about 6 km away from Kagamigahara IC on Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
The Gifu Park offers a parking lot.
By public transportation, take the Gifu Bus from the No.12 or 13 bus stops at JR Gifu Station, and get off at the Gifu-Koen-Rekishi-Hakubutsukan-Mae bus stop.
To get JR Gifu Station from Tokyo: Get the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express, and transfer to Tokaido Local Line at Nagoya Station.

Links and References

Gifu Castle castle tower, Gifu city official web site

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

39.岐阜城 その3

観光と歴史の人気スポット

その後

1600年の戦いの後、岐阜城は廃城となり、代わりに徳川幕府は近くの平地に加納城を築きました。1910年、地元の人々によって初代の模擬天守が建てられました。現在の天守は1956年に建てられた2代目です。両方とも市の重要なシンボルとされ、観光の振興に大いに貢献してきました。近年、発掘と研究が進んできたことで、金華山周辺は史跡としても注目されています。その結果、2011年以来、岐阜城跡として国の史跡に指定されています。

現在の模擬天守
山上からの眺め

私の感想

私は実は最近まで、岐阜城はただ山の上にあったものだと思っていました。実際に訪れ、そして城のことを学んでみて、この城には様々な側面があることがわかりました。特に織田信長は城を受け継ぎ、自身のやり方で発展させました。信長は城の潜在能力を十二分に発揮させ、彼の権威を高めたのです。きっとまた何か新しい発見が私たちを驚かせてくれるでしょう。

織田信長木像、複製(岐阜城天守閣)
山麓にある信長の居館跡

ここに行くには

車で行く場合:
東海北陸自動車道各務ヶ原ICから約6kmのところです。
岐阜公園に駐車場があります。
公共交通機関の場合は、JR岐阜駅の12番か13番バス乗り場から岐阜バスに乗って、岐阜公園歴史博物館前バス停で降りてください。
東京から岐阜駅まで:
東海道新幹線に乗って、名古屋駅で東海道線に乗り換えてください。

リンク、参考情報

岐阜城天守閣、岐阜市公式ホームページ
・「信長と家臣団の城/中井均著」角川選書
・「戦国の山城を極める/加藤理文、中井均著」学研
・「日本の城改訂版第103号」デアゴスティーニジャパン

これで終わります。
「岐阜城その1」に戻ります。
「岐阜城その2」に戻ります。

40.Yamanaka Castle Part3

One of the earliest historical parks in Japan

Later History

Yamanaka Castle had been abandoned for a long time since the battle in 1590. In 1930, a descendant of Naosue Hitotsuyanagi made a plan for the historic site. As a result, the ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1934. In addition, Mishima City excavated the ruins and developed them as a historical park between 1972 and 1993. That’s why we can now enjoy visiting the park, learning history, and relaxing.

The dry moat called “Shoji-bori” and Mt. Fuji

My Impression

The development for the Yamanaka-jo Castle Park was completed in 1993, nearly 30 years ago. I think that this is one of the very early cases for historical parks in Japan. This can also be a good model for the historical parks for other castles which are now being developed. Basically, the western slope of the Hakone Barrier has been a perfect spot for viewing Mt. Fuji. If the weather is fine, you can get both views of the mountain and the castle ruins there.

A view of Mt. Fuji from the ruins

How to get There

If you want to visit there by car:
From the east, it takes about 30 minutes from Hakoneguchi IC on Seisho Bypass.
From the west, it takes about 40 minutes from Numazu IC on Tomei Expressway.
The park offers a parking lot at the entrance.
By bus, get on the Tokai Bus bound for Moto-Hakone-Ko from the south entrance of Mishima Station, and get off at the Yamanaka-Jo-Ato bus stop.
To get to the Mishima Station from Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express.

Links and References

Mishima City Tourist Association

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