荒戸城

There is a parking lot and information board. The altitude is high, but it is not such a tight mountain. There was something that looked like a bear's claw mark, so I think it's best to avoid going alone as much as possible and wear something that makes a sound.

At first glance, it is a mountain, but when you come close to it, you will notice its existence. Traces of earthworks and moats. Because of this, I can't stop visiting Yamashiro.

During the Warring States period, after the death of Kenshin Uesugi, Kagekatsu took over Kagekatsu during the "Siege of Otate", which was fought between Kagekatsu, Kenshin's nephew, and Kagetora, who had been adopted by Mr. Hojo Odawara. Yamashiro is said to have been built with the purpose of blocking the supporting Hojo army at Shibahara Pass. It is dropped by the Hojo army, but the Hojo army takes time to capture Kabanosawa Castle and Sakado Castle after that, and Kagetora is defeated before the purpose of support can be achieved. The small but technical and condensed territory is worth a visit.

Go south on Route 17 toward Gunma, enter the side road in front of the tunnel, and proceed a little. There is a parking lot and a castle information board. Since it is located in a heavy snowfall area, the ruins of the castle remain as it is, and you can see the remains well.

It will not come out unless you enlarge the map considerably, because it is probably a lot of Yamashiro freaks who are interested in this castle (laugh), so I will write the highlights on that premise. Arato Castle is built on a hill overlooking the Mikuni Highway (currently Route 17), which connects Edo and Echigo in the shortest distance. If you do not neutralize this castle that suppresses the highway, supply logistics will be hindered and you will not be able to carry out free military activities on the Echigo side. This castle was built during the "Siege of Otate" over the successor of Kenshin Uesugi. It's a battle between Kenshin's sister's child "Kagekatsu" and "Kagetora" who was adopted by Mr. Hojo to Mr. Uesugi. It is certain that the Kanto champion, Hojo, will intervene in the battle for traces to make Kagetora his successor, so as a countermeasure, Kagekatsu urgently created it as a front-line fortress on the border. After that, it became the first attack target of the Hojo army that had advanced the Mikuni Highway from the Kanto side as expected, and Arato Castle, which would have had only about 200 defenders at most, crushed the Hojo army in front of it. I will end up. However, this strenuous battle earned valuable time to prepare for defense at Sakado Castle, which is the main base for scenic beauty. At that time, the separation of soldiers and farming was not progressing, so it took a considerable amount of time to mobilize soldiers and put them into combat. In the end, the Hojo army couldn't pull out Sakado Castle before the midwinter season, so it was timed out and pulled up to Kanto. In that gap, Kagekatsu makes a big offensive and finally drives Kagetora into suicide. Although Arato Castle was wiped out, it can be said that the expected role was fully fulfilled. It may not matter to the soldiers who died in the war, though (laughs). This is the explanation of the historical background. First of all, there is a part of the former Mikuni Highway, which is a cultural and human exchange route that was once visited by many troops, hawkers, and travelers. It is the part parallel to the mountain surface, which is a little up from the parking lot. Second, if you continue on the current climb, you will suddenly find yourself in the shape of a Ninomaru. As soon as you enter from here, you will come out to the main enclosure, so you may think, "What a small, sweet castle." But this is a place where you can feel free to do whatever you want. (It seems that the notation of the major information board and the resignation is the opposite.) The original battle front is the Sannomaru side on the right, so don't miss it. Here, a part of the empty moat is doubled, and it is a more strict stance. And the Ninomaru-shaped exit mentioned earlier is not visible from this side, and the counterattack unit that sortieed from here can suddenly poke from behind against the enemy who is absorbed in the Sannomaru capture. Please enjoy the strangeness of the structure.

Altitude 789m, Niigata Prefecture designated historic site. There was residual snow at the entrance to the castle in May If you climb the beautifully maintained mountain trail, you can see the moat trace as a dawn♪ (^o^ゞ A vertical moat on the earthwork and a complicated slope to the mouth♪ Guidance that is just right with Sannomaru, Ninomaru, Honmaru and explanation pillars ♪ There were many clay arts such as Horikiri, Yokobori, and well traces. ヽ (*'▽) no♪

I went by bicycle on the old road that deviates to the side of the tunnel of the bypass of the national highway. It is a wonderful place where you can feel the ruins of a castle in the mountains. You can take a walk in the beech forest.