武田氏を滅ぼした織田信長の肖像画、狩野宗秀作、長興寺蔵、１６世紀後半 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)北条氏を滅ぼした豊臣秀吉の肖像画、加納光信筆、高台寺蔵 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
Today, the ruins of Samegao Castle have been developed as part of a historical park called the Hida Historical Village, which also includes ancient house ruins and groups of burial mounds. If you drive to the ruins, you can use the parking lot beside Hida Shrine which also has a long history. You can also stop by the information center of the park from the parking lot, where you can get a guide for the ruins.
The map around the castle
The park entrancea restored ancient houseThe information center
There are three routes to the castle ruins, which are the Eastern, the Northern and the Southern Routes. The former two routes start from the information center. In addition, the northern one has few historical items, so if it is the first time for you to visit the ruins, the eastern one would be better. The northern one can be used when you return.
The three routes, from the signboard at the site, upwards is west on the map, adding the red lettersThe Northern RouteThe well ruins along the Northern Route, called “Kagetora Spring”
Going on Eastern Route
If you choose the Eastern Route as the original back route of the castle, you will walk on the route which goes on or beside the ridge of the mountain. You will eventually see the sign for “O-horikiri” or “Large Ditch 6” in Japanese. This is around the entrance of the ruins. You will come to Large Ditch 5, followed by several other ditches. The route is cut narrow over these ditches.
The relief map around the castle
The Eastern RouteThe sign for “Large Ditch 6” on the rightLarge Ditch 6The sign for “Large Ditch 5”Large Ditch 5The earthen bridge on the route is cut narrow over these ditches
Then, you will be in the Eastern First Enclosure which seems to have been a lookout.
Getting close to the Eastern First Enclosure over another ditchThe Eastern First EnclosureA view from the Eastern First Enclosure
After passing Ditch 6, you need to climb a very steep slope with a rope to the next enclosure. This must have been an important point for defense in the past.
The very steep slope after Ditch 6You need to climb this slope with a ropeLooking down the steep slope from above
You will soon reach Large Ditch 1, which is also the meeting point of the Eastern and the Southern Routes.
Large Ditch 1The meeting point of the Eastern and the Southern Routes
Second and Third Enclosures on Southern Route
In fact, the Southern Route was the original main route of the castle. The route zigzags through a valley and on another ridge to make enemies attack slowly. The Third and Second Enclosures are the last parts of the route after the ruins of the gateway for defense, called Koguchi. The excavation team found traces of a fire from both enclosures, probably because of the Otate Rebellion. In particular, a burned rice ball was found in the Third Enclosure, which may have been the portable ration for a soldier.
The Southern RouteThe gateway ruinsThe Third EnclosureThe Second Enclosure
