Today, if you are close to the ruins of Odani Castle, you will see Odaniyama-Mountain the castle was built is still standing out. You will also see another mountain called Toragozeyama Nobunaga used as his battle castle in front of Odaniyama-Mountain. Many people gather at the foot of Odaniyama-Mountain for visiting the ruins or hiking. If you drive to the ruins, you can choose your parking spot at the foot or the mid slope. In the case of parking at the mid slope, you can access the main portion of the castle near the parking lot. However, this portion is large, steep and rough on the mountain, so it is recommended to wear trekking boots.
Odaniyama-Mountain on the right and Toragozeyama-Mountain on the leftThe road to the main portion from the parking lot at the mid slope
Imagine how it looked by reading signboard
There are no castle buildings and few remaining stone walls on the foundations made of soil. This is because these items were taken as waste materials for other castles’ constructions, and it took a long time after the castle was abandoned. However, you can still see many enclosures on the ridge of the mountain as you climb up. Some signboards explain what each enclosure was called, used for, and looked like.
The Guardhouse RuinsThe imaginary of the Guardhouse Ruins, from the signboard at the siteToragozeyama Mountain from the view spot at the mid slopeThe Teahouse RuinsThe imaginary of the Teahouse Ruins, from the signboard at the siteThe Stable RuinsThe imaginary of the Stable Ruins, from the signboard at the siteThe Cherry Riding Ground RuinsThe imaginary of the Cherry Riding Ground Ruins, from the signboard at the site
Large Hall Nagamasa where lived and Main Enclosure where he fought
Ohiroma or the Large Hall Enclosure is the largest one in the castle. Its entrance is Korogane-mon Gate Ruins which have some stone steps and stone walls. There were the Main Halls for the lord and relatives. A lot of household items, such as earthen cups, silver cups, coins, and mirrors were unearthed by the excavation. You can also enjoy a good view from there, so Nagamawa and his family might usually have lived in the enclosure.
The map around the castle
Korogane-mon Gate RuinsThe Large Hall RuinsA view from the Cherry Riding Ground Ruins nearby
The next is the Main Enclosure where Nagamasa fought against Nobunaga. It has two tiers with some remaining stone walls. It is speculated that it had a building like the Main Tower. Nagamasa sallied out from there but died in the Akao Residence Ruins nearby.
The Main EnclosureThe remaining stone walls of the Main EnclosureThe imaginary of the Main Enclosure, from the signboard at the site
You will see the Large Ditch behind the Main Enclosure to divide the castle into the front and back part. This ditch might have protected the enclosure from Nobunaga’s attack from the back part for a while.
