Samegao Castle

Architecture, patrimoine et histoire · Préfecture de Niigata

Samegao Castle occupied the summit of a hill about 180 metres high on the western edge of the Takada Plain, in present-day Myōkō. The site controlled the Hokkoku Kaidō road towards Shinano Province and served as a forward post for Kasugayama Castle, seat of the Uesugi. Its founding date is unknown; it is placed in the 16th century, when the border was threatened by Takeda Shingen. Its fame rests on one specific episode: at the end of the Otate War, fought after Uesugi Kenshin's death between his two adopted sons, Uesugi Kagetora took refuge here in 1579, was betrayed by the defender Horie Munechika and took his own life. No buildings survive, but the earthworks are remarkably well preserved: six large baileys strung along the ridge, six cross trenches and more than a hundred cut scarps. Excavations have yielded carbonised rice and many burnt objects, evidence of the final fire. Designated a National Historic Site in 2008, it has been listed among the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles since 2017 and can be explored on hiking trails.