The Battlefields of Nagahama Castle

Enjoy views of Lake Biwako and historical landmarks

Illaura Rossiter Mar 21, 2019 - 2 min read

As well as being related to the historical figure Kuroda Kanbei, this is one of the filming locations of NHK's period drama "Gunshi Kanbei", as well as home to the Kuroda Kanbei Exposition

From the top of the castle, one can see the places listed on this map including the Anegawa battlefield, the Shizugatake battlefield, and Odani Castle

From the castle, one can look down on the sprawling Hou Park and, in the distance, Nagahama Dome and Hikone Castle

From the observation deck, you can see an unobstructed 360 degree view, as well as a sunset rated as one of the top hundred sunsets in Japan

As the lord of Nagahama, Hideyoshi Toyotomi created Japan's first castle town here

Located below the reconstruction of Nagahama Castle, Hou Park is famous for being full of flowering cherry blossom trees in the spring

When I visited Nagahama Castle in mid-March, the Hou Park's famed cherry blossom trees surrounding the castle were not quite in bloom yet. However, given a couple more weeks, the castle would be seen surrounded by the pink blossoms of the trees in full bloom.

Now known as Nagahama Castle, it was originally named Imahama Castle by its creator, and the second of Japan's great unifiers, the famous historical figure Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi was a feudal lord, known as a daimyo, during the Sengoku Period, which lasted from 1467 to 1600.

Nagahama Castle is a historical site of great importance for several reasons. After the castle was constructed, the castle town that grew up around it was the first of its kind in Japan. Following its construction, Hideyoshi is known to have resided at Nagahama Castle for seven years. Additionally, with the castle as his headquarters, Hideyoshi won the famous nearby Battle of Shizugatake, gaining him fame and prestige throughout Japan.

From the top floor, on the observation deck, you can see beautiful views of Lake Biwa, as well as many historical sites including Odani Castle, Hikone Castle, the Shizugatake Battlefield, and the Sekigahara Battlefield. From this vantage point alone you can imagine how important a site Nagahama Castle was.

The castle is about a four-minute walk from exit A08 of Nagahama Station.

Illaura Rossiter @illaura.rossiter

A semi-professional photographer and English teacher, Illaura is a long-term resident of Japan who photographs every day life and scenes in Japan to promote a better understanding of Japanese culture.