* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Iiyama Castle
飯山城
Iiyama Castle is a historic castle in the Chūbu region (Muromachi to Edo Period). Its lord was Izumi clan and Takanashi clan → Uesugi Kenshin (construction, Eiroku 7 (1564)) → Honda clan (entry, Kyōhō 2 (1717); until the Meiji era).
Overview
Iiyama Castle (Iiyama-jō) is a hirayama-jō, a castle built on low hills rising from the plain, located in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture, and sited at a fortified position on the hills of the west bank of the Chikuma River (Chikuma-gawa). The year of construction is unknown, but it is said that in the early 14th century it was the residence castle of the Izumi clan, and in the Sengoku period Uesugi Kenshin greatly renovated and expanded it as a strategic stronghold linking Echigo (Niigata) and Shinano (Nagano). During the Kawanakajima battles against Takeda Shingen (1553–1564), Kenshin completed the construction work in Eiroku 7 (1564) and made this castle a forward base in northern Shinano. In the Edo period it served as the seat of the Iiyama domain; the castle lords changed rapidly, among them the Minagawa, Hori and Sakuma clans, but after Honda Sukeyoshi entered the domain with 20,000 koku in Kyōhō 2 (1717), the Honda clan remained in the castle until the Meiji Restoration. Today it has been developed as Iiyama Castle Ruins Park, where stone walls and earthen ramparts remain from the honmaru to the ninomaru. It is designated as a historic site by Nagano Prefecture and is known as a place where visitors can experience the snow-country culture of northern Shinano and the history of the Sengoku period.
Connection to Swords
As a castle associated with Uesugi Kenshin, Iiyama Castle occupies a special place in the history of the Japanese sword. Kenshin is known as one of the foremost sword enthusiasts and collectors among Sengoku warlords, and famous blades such as 'Kenshin Kagemitsu' and 'Sanchōmō' are still renowned today as swords he owned. In particular, 'Sanchōmō' (unsigned, Bizen Fukuoka Ichimonji school, Kamakura period) was purchased for about 500 million yen by Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, in Reiwa 2 (2020) and brought back to its home region; as a blade associated with Kenshin, it became a nationwide topic. Iiyama Castle is a forward base that Kenshin established in northern Shinano.
Highlights
- Stone walls and earthen ramparts of Iiyama Castle Ruins Park — remains designated as a historic site by Nagano Prefecture, extending from the honmaru to the ninomaru
- Forward base built by Uesugi Kenshin — a castle constructed in Eiroku 7 (1564) to counter the Takeda clan
- Relocated castle gate — a two-storey gate re-erected at the site of the former Minami-chūmon gate
- Views of the Chikuma River — scenery of the Chikuma River and the Iiyama town centre seen from the castle site
- Iiyama Castle Site Cherry Blossom Festival — a famous cherry blossom spot from mid to late April, where night cherry blossoms can also be enjoyed under the glow of bonbori paper lanterns
- Snow-country culture of northern Shinano — landscapes and traditional culture unique to a heavy-snowfall region
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.