The Gujo Hachiman Castle in the central Japanese prefecture of Gifu is a mountaintop fortress castle on Hachiman Mountain, overlooking Gujo town. Daimyo Endo Morikazu started construction on it in 1559, but had only finished the stonework when he died. His young son, Endo Yoshitaka, inherited the incomplete castle.
Yoshitaka went to war as a retainer of Oda Nobunaga. Meanwhile, Inaba Sadamichi took control of the castle site and finished construction on the donjon and other wooden parts of the structure.
When Yoshitaka returned to Gifu in 1600 after the Battle of Sekigahara, he assumed control of Gujo Hachiman once more.
In 1646, Endo Tsunetomo became daimyo and inherited the castle, which he renovated extensively. Tsunetomo also fortified Gujo, the town that sits below the castle. He must have been expecting trouble.
In fact, trouble only came to Hachiman Castle in 1868, with the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Emperor had the castle completely dismantled down to the stone walls and foundations in 1870.
Fortunately, a new wooden castle was built on the site in 1933. It survived World War II intact, and serves today as a museum.
Tourists can access the castle via cable car. While most Japanese castles have cherry or plum trees planted around them, Gujo Hachiman is surrounded by maple trees, making autumn the best time to visit. The white wooden structure is set off beautifully by fiery red foliage.
Yoshitaka went to war as a retainer of Oda Nobunaga. Meanwhile, Inaba Sadamichi took control of the castle site and finished construction on the donjon and other wooden parts of the structure.
When Yoshitaka returned to Gifu in 1600 after the Battle of Sekigahara, he assumed control of Gujo Hachiman once more.
In 1646, Endo Tsunetomo became daimyo and inherited the castle, which he renovated extensively. Tsunetomo also fortified Gujo, the town that sits below the castle. He must have been expecting trouble.
In fact, trouble only came to Hachiman Castle in 1868, with the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Emperor had the castle completely dismantled down to the stone walls and foundations in 1870.
Fortunately, a new wooden castle was built on the site in 1933. It survived World War II intact, and serves today as a museum.
Tourists can access the castle via cable car. While most Japanese castles have cherry or plum trees planted around them, Gujo Hachiman is surrounded by maple trees, making autumn the best time to visit. The white wooden structure is set off beautifully by fiery red foliage.
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