Horikoshi Castle (堀越城 Horikoshi-jō) was a flatland castle (平城 hirajiro) located in Horikoshi-chō, Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, in the southern part of the Tsugaru Plain. It was designated as a national historic site (史跡) in 1985. Hirosaki City created a municipal historic park on the site of the former castle grounds.
It was first recorded in 1336 when Soga Sadamitsu (曾我貞光) of the Northern Court mentioned the construction of a fortress in Horikoshi. In 1571, Tsugaru Tamenobu (津軽為信, 1550-1608) set out from Horikoshi Castle to defeat Ishikawa Takanobu (石川高信) of Daibutsugahana Castle. Later, in 1594, Tamenobu moved his base from Oura Castle to Horikoshi Castle. However, due to concerns about the castle's defences - rebellious retainers occupied the castle - the Tsugaru built Hirosaki Castle and moved there in 1611.
A larger map with explanations of each enclosure.
Aerial photographs taken from Geographical Survey Institute maps. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
That day, we went on a tour of castles associated with the Tsugaru clan. Following Hirosaki Castle and Oura Castle, we visited Horikoshi Castle, undergoing maintenance work at the castle ruins park. Since there were no parking lots around the castle ruins, we parked at the construction site, which was closed on Sunday.
Below is the current entrance to the castle ruins.
The castle ruins were undergoing renovation work.
The ruins of the Ninomaru (二之丸).
The earthworks and moats surrounding the Honmaru remain in good condition.
The entrance to the Honmaru.
The Kumano Shrine (熊野宮) is located inside the Honmaru.
The ruins of the Honmaru Palace (本丸御殿).
The ruins of the Honmaru East Gate (本丸東門), and beyond it, the ruins of the Sanomaru (三之丸).
A rendering of the completed castle park. It looks like a great park, complete with a parking lot.
Date of visit: 15 June 2014
It was first recorded in 1336 when Soga Sadamitsu (曾我貞光) of the Northern Court mentioned the construction of a fortress in Horikoshi. In 1571, Tsugaru Tamenobu (津軽為信, 1550-1608) set out from Horikoshi Castle to defeat Ishikawa Takanobu (石川高信) of Daibutsugahana Castle. Later, in 1594, Tamenobu moved his base from Oura Castle to Horikoshi Castle. However, due to concerns about the castle's defences - rebellious retainers occupied the castle - the Tsugaru built Hirosaki Castle and moved there in 1611.
A larger map with explanations of each enclosure.
Aerial photographs taken from Geographical Survey Institute maps. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
That day, we went on a tour of castles associated with the Tsugaru clan. Following Hirosaki Castle and Oura Castle, we visited Horikoshi Castle, undergoing maintenance work at the castle ruins park. Since there were no parking lots around the castle ruins, we parked at the construction site, which was closed on Sunday.
Below is the current entrance to the castle ruins.
The castle ruins were undergoing renovation work.
The ruins of the Ninomaru (二之丸).
The earthworks and moats surrounding the Honmaru remain in good condition.
The entrance to the Honmaru.
The Kumano Shrine (熊野宮) is located inside the Honmaru.
The ruins of the Honmaru Palace (本丸御殿).
The ruins of the Honmaru East Gate (本丸東門), and beyond it, the ruins of the Sanomaru (三之丸).
A rendering of the completed castle park. It looks like a great park, complete with a parking lot.
Date of visit: 15 June 2014
Access:
- Address: Kashiwada Horikoshi, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8112
- Access: a 30-minute walk from Shinzato Station on the Konan Railway Konan Line; 4 kilometres from Owani Hirosaki Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway via National Route 7.
Link:
- Official Japanese website (Hirosaki City)
- Next article in the series 'Walking the Japanese Castles': Daibutsugahana Castle
- Previous article in the series 'Walking the Japanese Castles': Oura Castle
