Kasugayama Castle Ruins

Overview

The Kasugayama Castle Ruins are located in Kasugayama-cho, Joetsu City, and were built by the Sengoku period warlord, Uesugi Kenshin. Constructed on the summit of 143-meter-high Mount Kasugayama, it offers stunning panoramic views of the Echigo Plain. Uesugi Kenshin used Kasugayama Castle as his base to conquer the Echigo Plain, and later played a significant role in battles in the Kanto and Hokuriku regions. Serving as a strategically important stronghold for Uesugi Kenshin, the castle, while lacking a tenshu (main keep), retains remnants of its original structure, including the remains of the honmaru (inner citadel), ninomaru (second ward), and sannomaru (third ward). From the castle ruins, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Echigo Plain and the Sea of Japan. It's a wonderful place where nature and history harmonize. The area is ablaze with cherry blossoms in spring and boasts stunning autumn foliage, offering seasonal beauty throughout the year. The Kasugayama Castle Ruins are a popular spot for history buffs and tourists alike, as a site deeply connected to Uesugi Kenshin.