* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Hiyama Castle
檜山城
Hiyama Castle is a historic castle in Tōhoku dating from the 1456 (Kōshō 2) to 1620 (Genna 6), when it was abandoned, whose lord was Andō Masasue and his son Andō Tadaki (builders); five successive generations of the Hiyama Andō clan, later renamed the Akita clan.
Overview
Overview and Location
Hiyama Castle (檜山城) stands on Mt. Kiriyama (elevation 147 meters) in Hiyama, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, and served as the seat of five successive generations of the Hiyama Andō clan. Together with the nearby Ōdate, Chaōda, and Kokusenji temple ruins, the site was designated a National Historic Site as the "Hiyama Andō Clan Castle and Residence Ruins" on March 21, 1980.
Construction and the Hiyama Andō Clan
Construction began in 1456 (Kōshō 2) under Andō Masasue and is said to have been completed by his son Andō Tadaki around 1495 (Meiō 4). The castle subsequently served as the base of the Hiyama Andō clan for five generations, during which the family expanded into a Sengoku daimyo house controlling maritime trade across northern Tōhoku.
Union with the Minato Andō and Renaming to Akita
In the late 16th century, under clan head Chikasue, the Hiyama Andō absorbed their kinsmen the Minato Andō clan, growing into a daimyo house that dominated northern Dewa Province. In 1589 (Tenshō 17), internal strife triggered a large-scale siege known as the Minato Conflict (Minato Kassen). Following the Battle of Sekigahara, in 1602 (Keichō 7) the Andō clan was renamed the Akita clan and later transferred to Hitachi Province.
Structural Features
The castle spans an extensive area of approximately 1,500 meters east-west by 900 meters north-south, with numerous terraced enclosures and ridge-cutting moats (horikiri) dividing the mountain spurs. It is regarded as representative of the peak of medieval mountain castle construction technique in northern Tōhoku.
Connections to Swords and Arms
Drawing on wealth from trade with Ezo (Hokkaido) and the continent, the Hiyama Andō clan is said to have used swords as rewards for retainers and offerings to temples and shrines. Kokusenji, the clan's family temple, is said to have preserved generations of arms and treasures, and the castle complex is thought to have been a center of medieval arms culture in northern Tōhoku.
Current State and Highlights
Abandoned in 1620 (Genna 6) under the shogunate's one-castle-per-domain policy, the ridge-cutting moats and terraced earthworks survive in good condition today. Noshiro City is developing the site, together with the neighboring Ōdate and Chaōda ruins, as a historic park where visitors can trace the medieval Andō clan's base structure on the ground.
Connection to Swords
The Hiyama Andō clan, enriched by trade with Ezo and the continent, is said to have used swords as retainer rewards and temple offerings. Their family temple Kokusenji preserved generations of arms, making the castle complex a center of medieval arms culture in northern Tōhoku.
Highlights
- National Historic Site "Hiyama Andō Clan Castle and Residence Ruins" (1980)
- Seat of five generations of the Hiyama Andō clan, later renamed Akita
- Large mountain castle, 1,500m by 900m, with terraced enclosures and ridge-cutting moats
- Site of the union with the Minato Andō clan and the 1589 Minato Conflict
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.