Hachioji Castle Ruins

Historic Site

Prefecture

Tokyo

Type

Historic Site

N/A

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About This Destination

The ruins of Hojo Ujiteru's mountain castle, stormed by the armies of Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu on June 23, 1590, a defeat that settled the surrender of Odawara Castle. Restored stone walls at the lord's residence site are a short walk from the free guidance center; the summit keep site is a mountain hike higher up.

Hachioji Castle was never finished. Hojo Ujiteru, third son of Hojo Ujiyasu, moved his base here from Takiyama Castle sometime between 1584 and 1587 and was still building when Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign against the Hojo reached it. On June 23, 1590 the armies of Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu took the castle, and its fall settled the surrender of besieged Odawara Castle; Ujiteru, who was inside Odawara, committed seppuku with his brother Ujimasa. The protected site covers about 159 hectares. Start at the octagonal guidance center, free, with videos and panels, then walk to the Goshuden, the lord's residence, where the stone walls, gate passage and old road were restored in 1990 using the stones found in excavation. A wooden bridge crosses the stream on the way, and local legend says the Goshuden waterfall ran red after the castle's women threw themselves in. The Honmaru site sits on the top of 460 m Fukazawa-yama, up a proper mountain trail with no toilets above the trailhead. Black bears have been sighted here, so carry a bell, and keep to the marked paths.

Location

Prefecture: Tokyo

Address: Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan

Nearest Station: Takao Station

Closed: The ruins have no gate. The guidance center is closed from December 29 to January 3 and occasionally on other days.

Hours note: The guidance center opens 9:00 to 17:00, and the car parks are open only 9:00 to 17:00. Night visits are refused because of complaints from nearby residents.

Best time to visit: Autumn to spring, when the forest is cooler; avoid evenings, since parking closes at 17:00 and night visits are refused

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entry fee, and when is it open?

Entry is free. The guidance center and car parks are open 9:00 to 17:00, the center is closed from December 29 to January 3, and visits after dark are refused.

How long should I allow?

The city's volunteer guides take 60 to 90 minutes for the Goshuden route and the guidance center. Climbing to the Honmaru site on the summit adds a mountain hike on top of that, so wear proper shoes.

Where is the Japan 100 Castles stamp?

At the guidance center, not at the management building. Hachioji Castle was chosen as one of Japan's 100 Fine Castles in April 2006.

How do I get there by public transport?

Take a Nishi Tokyo Bus from stop 1 at the north exit of JR Takao Station to Reien-mae / Hachiojijo-ato Iriguchi, then walk about 20 minutes. On weekends and holidays a direct bus runs to Hachiojijo-ato.