Japanese Castle guide in Japan castle Historical site Statue Introduction.

[Caslte name]
Utsunomiya Castle
Castle ruled by the Utsunomiya clan, prosperous family in Shimotsuke; one of top 7 castles in Kanto

[Description]
Utsunomiya Castle was located in Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi. This castle is known as one of top 7 castles in the Kanto region. Soen Fujiwara was rewarded the land around today’s Utsunomiya city and Kinugawa River for his contribution at Formar Nine Year’s War. The land had been governed by the Utsunomiya clan for generations through Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama eras.

When it became Sengoku era, Utsunomiya Castle was taken away as invaded by Ujimasa Hojo, Ujiteru Hojo, Minister Minagawa, and Tsunafusa Mibu. In 1557, however, Utsunomiya clan won the castle back with the help from Takasada Haga.

The Utsunomiya clan awarded Shimotsuke (180,000 Goku) for their effort on the siege of Odawara led by Hideyoshi Toyotomi. When Kunitsuna Utsunomiya, the chief at the time, joined the troops to Korea, their title was suddenly taken away.

That put an end to the long history of the Utsunomiya clan. Hideyuki Gamo came into the possession of the castle by contributing 180,000 Goku. Many daimyo including Iemasa Okudaira and Masazumi Honda came and went as the chief of Utsunomiya Castle throughout Edo era.

The Toda clan ruled the land of Shimotsuke from the late Edo era to Meiji Restoration.

Since Kunatsuni Utsunomiya never sided with Ieyasu Tokugawa at the Battle of Sekigahara or the Siege of Osaka, Summer Campaign, Ieyasu didn’t restore the family name.

[Address,access]
1-15 Honmaru-cho Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 320-0817

[Map]