Japanese Castle guide in Japan castle Historical site Statue Introduction.

[Castle name]
Otawara Castle
the residence of Mr. Otawara

Otawara Castle is a mountain castle located in Shiroyama, Otawara City, Tochigi Province.The castle was built by [Otawara Sukekiyo].
Originally Mr. Otawara served Mr. Nasu for generations. However, when entering Sengoku Period, they has ambitious to take over Mr. Nasu, therefore they fought with the master and planned to takeover him.

At that time, Mr. Nazu was divided to Upper Nasu and Lower Nasu, they fought with each other. Otawara Sukekiyo took this advantage. As a result, Upper Nasu was destroyed and Lower Nasu ruled the family.

When Sukekiyo died, his son [Otawara Tsunakiyo] was close to Mr. Nasu’s enemy [Utsunomiya Hirotsuna], he killed the master [Nasu Takasuke]. [Nasu Suketane] became the head of Mr. Nasu.
Tensho 18 year (1590), when Toyotomi Hideyoshi broke out Hojo battle, [Otawara Harukiyo] already joined Odawara and got 7000 stones from Hideyoshi.

On the other hand, he told Toyotomi Hideyoshi that [Nasu Suketane] was against to belong to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and because of that, Mr. Nasu was replaced.

Keicho 5 year (1600), Harukiyo showed his loalty to Tokugawa Ieyasu at the battle of Sekigahara. After that battle, he was awarded 12000 stones and became Daimyo.

Harukiyo was the first clan master of Otawara Clan. He ruled this place until Meiji Restoration. In May Keio 4 year (1868), Aizu Clan attacked Otawara Castle and burnt the castle.

Nowadays, soil and moats are left on the current castle ruins, and Shiroyama Park is built.

[Address,access]
〒324-0052 2 Shiroyama, Otawara City, Tochigi Province

[Map]