The Komoro Castle had a little strange location. The castle was located just near the Komoro traditional post town, now at the center of the Komoro city. Basically, castles were set on higher places than surrounding areas because that way defenders easily attack and protect against enemies. It can also show authority to people. However, this castle was lower than the town. The more one approaches the center of the castle, the lower the altitude is. So the castle is also called “the hole castle”, “Anajo”. The reason for such a location would be the terrain of the castle. It is at the edge of a river terrace with steep cliffs and ditches. It is too difficult to charge from the opposite side of town. The founder of the castle seemed to compromise between its advantages and a disadvantage.
小諸城の土地の断面図（The cross section of Komoro castle’s ground）
It is said that Komoro Castle was first built in the 15th century. In the civil war period, the Takeda clan governed the area around it. At the beginning of the Edo era, the lord of the Sengoku clan completed the castle. Because of the need for defense, the castle had spread enclosures around the town. The major enclosures had large and well constructed entrance gates. Two of these gates remain now (“the third gate” “Sannomon” and “the main gate” “Otemon”), but the others were demolished. Both are designated as the important cultural properties.
大手門の内側（The inside of Otemon）
Features
城の主要部分は現在、「懐古園」の名で公園として使われています。ここでは桜園、博物館、動物園、そして城跡と見所がたくさんあります。三の門は今、懐古園の正面入り口として使われており、公園の名前が書かれた額と共に移っている写真で日頃から有名です。 The main area of the castle has now been turned into the public park, “Kaikoen”. It offers many attractions like cherry blossoms, museums, a zoo, as well as the ruins of the castle. The Sannomon gate is now used as the main gate of Kaikoen which is usually famous for pictures with the park name tablet.
「懐古園」の額と三の門（The tablet of “Kaikoen” and the Sannomon）
いろいろ楽しんだ後、公園の端の方に行ってみると、少々驚かれるかもしれません。そこは高い崖に囲われていて、周辺一帯の見事な景色を見ることができるのです。そう感じるのは、小諸城の独特の構造によるものなのでしょう。 After enjoying these attractions, when you reach the edge of the park, you might be surprised that the park has a great view of the area around it with high cliffs. That’s because of the structure of Komoro Castle.
城の端地点からの景色（A view from the edge of the castle）
大手門は現在、公園の反対側の方にあります。明治時代に鉄道が城の中を通って、隔てられてしまったからです。この門は一時民間に売却されて、料亭や塾の建物として使われていました。最近になって行政が買い戻して、元の外観に戻す復元工事を行い、今は一般に公開されています。 The Otemon gate is now on the opposite side of the park, as the train line divided the castle in the Meiji era. The gate was once sold to the private sector, and used as a traditional Japanese restaurant or a private school. Recently, officials bought it back, restored it to its original appearance, and now open to the public.
大手門の外側（The outside of Otemon）
（’19-9-5 追記 added） なお、城には天守が今も残っている天守台の上にありましたが、１６２６年に落雷により焼け落ちてしまいました。 In addition, the castle had the keep “Tenshu” on the now remaining base of Tenshu. But it was burned down by a stroke of lightning in 1626.
When the Edo Period ended. The castle was closed, many of warriors worried about the future of the castle. They collected money and were successful to buy the main area of the castle. They named it “Kaikoen” and established the Kaiko shrine. Now the owners (descendants of the warriors) lend the area to officials as the park.
My Inpression
私も最初はこの城跡は古門や石垣を除いては普通の公園のようだと感じたのです。しかし、奥に歩いていくにつれて、なぜ築城者がここに城を作ったのかわかった気がしました。 At first, I felt that the ruins were just like a park except for the old gates and remaining stone walls. But I walked to the edge of them, and I was able to understand why the founder built the castle there.
自然の地形を生かした堀切（The ditch using natural terrain）
地理に興味がある方は、城の周りを見て歩くのもいいかもしれません。典型的な河岸段丘とともに、高い崖に様々な地層を見ることができます。 For those who are interested in geography, it is a good idea to look around the area. You can see geological formations on the high cliffs with typical river terraces.
近くの崖に見られる地層（A geological formatioon on a cliff nearby）
It is best to use train to access it, as the Komoro train station was built on part of the castle area. When using a car, the Kaikoen park offers a parking lot. From Tokyo to Komoro st.: Get the Hokuriku Shinkansen super express to Karuizawa st., and transfer to the Shinano Railway local line.
