カテゴリー: 私の感想～My Impression

122.Otaki Castle Part3

Otaki Town is promoting the castle with Tadakatsu Honda.

Later History

After the Meiji Restoration, Otaki Castle was abandoned and all the buildings of the castle were demolished. The land of the castle was turned into fields, with a school and a residential area. The Imitation Main Tower was built in 1975 after the excavation in 1973. Otaki Town has been promoting this castle as being built by the famous general, Tadakatsu Honda.

The Imitation Tower of Otaki Castle
The illustration of Tadakatsu’s helmet, exhibited by Otaki Castle Museum

My Impression

The Main Tower of Otaki Castle is temporarily closed (as of Oct22) as it needs repairs such as earthquake proofing. Otaki Town will operate it following Chiba Prefecture after the repairs. Castles that include Main Towers are indispensable to local cities or towns because they serve as symbol and facilities for tourism. I also recommend seeing the castle town street near Otaki Station, where some old merchant houses remain.

The Imitation Tower of Otaki Castle
Old merchant houses of the old castle town

How to get There

I recommend using a car when you visit the castle.
It is about a 30-minute drive away from Ichihara-Maizuru IC on the Ken-odo Expressway. You can park at the parking lot located under the Main Enclosure.
If you want to use public transportation, it takes about 15 minutes on foot from Otaki Station.
To get to Otaki Station from Tokyo: Take the Wakashio limited express and get off at Ohara Station and transfer to the Isumi Railway.

Otaki Station
The parking lot under the Main Enclosure

Links and References

・Otaki Castle Museum

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

122.大多喜城　その３

大多喜町は、本多忠勝とともに城をＰＲしています。

その後

明治維新後、大多喜城は廃城となり、城の全ての建物は撤去されました。城があった土地は、畑地や学校、住宅地になっていきました。模擬天守が建てられてのは1975年の事で、1973年に発掘が行われた後でした。大多喜町は、著名な武将である本多忠勝が築いた城として大いに宣伝しているところです。

大多喜城の模擬天守
本多忠勝兜図、千葉県立中央博物館大多喜城分館にて展示

私の感想

大多喜城の天守は、2022年10月現在、耐震対策などの改修を行うため一時休館となっています。その改修後は、大多喜町が千葉県より運営を引き継ぐそうです。天守を含む城は、地方の市町村にとって欠かすことのできないシンボルや観光資源となっているのです。また、大多喜駅の近くには城下町の町並みがあり、併せて見学されることをお勧めします。古い商家が残っています。

大多喜城の模擬天守
旧城下町の古い商家

ここに行くには

この城を訪れるには、車を使うことをお勧めします。
圏央道自動車道の市原舞鶴ICから約３０分かかります。本丸下にある駐車場に停めることができます。
公共交通機関を使う場合は、大多喜駅から歩いて約１５分かかります。
東京から大多喜駅まで：特急わかしお号に乗って、大原駅で降り、いすみ鉄道に乗り換えて下さい。

大多喜駅
本丸下にある駐車場

リンク、参考情報

・千葉県立中央博物館大多喜城分館
・「房総里見氏の城郭と合戦／小高春雄著」戒光祥出版
・「よみがえる日本の城２」学研
・「徳川四天王本多忠勝／川村一彦著」歴史研究会

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

148.Hamamatsu Castle Part3

The castle still has many mysteries.

Features

Around Castle

The map around the castle

If you have more time, how about visiting the ruins of Hikema Castle which now becomes a Toshogu Shrine. You can see a view and good location of the present Hamamatsu Castle in the distance.

The ruins of Hikema Castle
The Toshogu Shrine

I also recommend visiting ruins regarding the Battle of Mikatagahara such as Saigagake valley. You can still see the deep valley at 13m, which was originally about 40 m. There is the Saigagake Museum beside the valley, where you can learn Ieyasu’s life.

The present Saigagake Valley
The diorama of Ieyasu going to the battlefield. exhibited by the Saigagake Museum

There is also the monument of the battle, about 10km north from the museum.

the monument of the Battle OF Mikatagahara

Later History

After the Meiji Restoration, Hamamatsu Castle was abandoned and all the castle buildings were demolished. The Many parts of the castle were turned into a city area and only the central part remained as an observation platform. After World War II, Hamamatsu City bought and opened it as Hamamatsu Castle Park. The city is considering restoring the past castle.

The rebuilt Main Tower
The restored Main Tower Gate

My Impression

I once thought the remaining stone walls of Hamamatsu Castle were built by Ieyasu. However, I learned that the legacies of the castle come from many clans and periods. I also learned that the castle still has a lot of mysteries. I hope that these mysteries will be solved one by one through the excavation and studies in the future.

The remaining stone walls of the Main Tower Enclosure
The rebuilt Main Tower seen over the stone walls of the Main Tower Enclosure

How to get There

If you want to visit the castle by car, it is about 30 minutes away from Hamamatsu IC on the Tomei Expressway. There is a parking lot for visitors in the park.
By public transportation, it takes about 20 minutes on foot from the JR Hamamatsu Station.
To get to Hamamatsu Station from Tokyo or Osaka: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express.

Links and References

・Hamamatsu Castle Park

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