Tsukuijō Castle

Overview

Tsukuijō Castle was a Japanese castle located in Midori-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. While it's said to have been built by the Tsukuishi clan, a branch of the Miura clan, during the Kamakura period, it was mainly used from the Sengoku period onward by the Hōjō clan. Tsukuiji was a strategically important location connecting Kai Province and Odawara, a stage for intense battles between the Takeda and Hōjō clans. The Hōjō clan relied on the Tsukuiji garrison, under the command of the Saitō clan, to defend Tsukuijō Castle against the Takeda army. During the Battle of Mimasu Pass in 1569, Tsukuijō Castle was surrounded by the Uenohara forces under Obata Nobusada and Katō Kagetada, on the Takeda side, preventing its troops from joining the battle. During the Odawara Campaign of 1590, the castle lord, Saitō Naoyuki, was stationed at Odawara Castle, and the castle was defended by veteran retainers. On June 25th, it opened its gates after an attack by Hiraiwa Chikayoshi, a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Afterwards, Tsukuiji became a directly controlled territory of the Tokugawa shogunate, leading to the castle's abandonment. Today, the site of Tsukuijō Castle is developed as Kanagawa Prefectural Tsukuikoko Shiroyama Park. Remaining structures include the former residence of the chief retainers, Takaragaike Pond, and moats. Hiking trails wind through the area, offering breathtaking views of Lake Tsukuiko and the Tanzawa mountain range from the summit. The park also houses the Tsukuikoko Tourist Center, selling local vegetables, boxed lunches, and local specialties.