SHORYUJIJO
勝龍寺城
SHORYUJIJO 勝竜寺城
Shoryuji-jo was a castle that existed in Nagaokakyo City around 700 years ago. Its name comes from a historic old temple nearby of the same name, Shoryuji. In 1992 the remains of Honmaru (the castle keep) and Numatamaru (Numata area) were transformed into Shoryu-ji Castle Park, and towers were built in the style of the originals.
Shoryuji Castle was rebuilt in 1571 by Fujitaka Hosokawa upon the orders of Oda Nobunaga. It became one of Kyoto’s main defense mechanisms and was known as the most advanced castle of it’s time.
The moat and earthworks remain from the original site at Kotari-jinja Shrine to the northeast of the castle.
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The location of this castle was strategically very important, with major roads to the east and west, and good transportation provided by the river to the south. Many military lords battled for the castle throughout the long and complicated history of Kyoto.
One of the most feared samurai of this time, Akechi Mitsuhide, had a daughter named Garasha who married Tadaoki Hosokawa, a relative of the creator of the castle, and spent two years here. After Mitsuhide lost to Hideyoshi Hashiba in the Battle of Yamazaki he spent his last night here at the castle. The next morning while fleeing Kyoto he was apprehended by bandits and executed.
Shoryuji Castle is currently maintained as a public park and has been named as one of the "100 Best Historical Parks in Japan". The Nagaokakyo Garasha Festival is held on the second Sunday of November every year, which includes a historical parade through the city.
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