MustLoveJapan

Iwamura Castle

Travel Information

Iwamura Castle (岩村城) is a mountain castle located in south-eastern Gifu. It is one of three major mountain castles and the top of the castle is 717m above sea level, making it the highest castle in Japan. It is also known as the castle of the woman lord. Oda Nobunaga stayed at this castle 80 days before he was killed in Honnoji. Today, the stone walls and baileys are preserved in excellent condition which allows you to easily imagine how strong the castle was and how it was designed.

Tourist Info.
There is two parking, lower and upper. When you park at the lower parking, you can enjoy the way to the top of the castle, or you can park at top of castle which is much easier to visit the top.

Access
0. at Tajimi Station
1. use JR Chuo Line to Ena (25 min.)
2. use Akechiline to Iwamura (30 min.)
3. walk south east (30 min.)


Featured in

MUSO JIKIDEN EISHINRYU IAIJUTSU Let's learn MJER Iaijutsu.

MLJ Online Shop

the Ronins 映画好き集まれ!

Map around Iwamura Castle

Detailed Travel Guide

Iwamura Castle

Type : Mountain castle
Built in: 1221 by Toyama Kagetomo
Class: Ruins

Structure: Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, and Demaru. No Tenshukaku, but two 2 stories keeps, and at Otemon gate which located in Sannomaru had a 3 stories keep which sometimes considered as the Tenshukaku.

Stone walls and baileys are well preserved especially Stone walls of Honmaru, the main bailey, is like another mountain on the top of mountain.

There are 11 keeps which surrounded Honmaru and all of them are directory controlled by Honmaru.

History
Iwayama Castle was built in 1221 by Toyama Kagetomo, but is was located on the ground level at that time.

In mid-16th century, Toyama and Takeda clan moved this castle to current location and built it much stronger castle.

In 1570, Takeda Shingen attacked this castle, but by the help of Oda Nobunaga, Iwamura Castle won against Takeda army.

In 1571, Toyama Kagetou died and Toyama clan was breached. To protect Toyama clan, Nobunaga's 5th son was adapted to Toyama clan. The wife of Kageto, Otsuya was also aunt of Nobunaga. Because new lord was only five years old, she support him and basically ruled the castle and area of Iwamura. Therefore, this castle was called the castle of woman lord.

In 1572, Takeda Shingen moved major part of his army to attack Tokugawa Ieyasu of Enshu. Iwamura was also attacked by Akiyama Nobutomo, samurai of Shingen. However, because this castle was strong, he couldn't defeated easily. Akiyama negotiated Otsuya and instead of giving this castle to Takeda, she agreed to married Akiyama and help other hostages. Nobunaga considered this as serious betraying of Oda clan.

In 1575, after the battle of Nagashino, Takeda Clan lost their power, and Nobunaga ordered to his son Nobutada to defeat this castle. Five month later, this castle was fallen and Nobunaga killed Otsuya and all other Toyama clan.

After, that Nobunaga gave this castle to Mori clan to protect Mino. Mori Ranmaru was once the lord of this castle. Nobunaga visited and stayed 80 days before he was killed in Honnoji.

After the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Matsudaira Ienori became the lord of this castle and he built castle town.