CastleMountain castle (yamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 51
What makes this castle distinctive
The mountain fort on Mt. Kongo where Kusunoki Masashige held out with a small force and was never taken by the Kamakura shogunate's huge army.
Why?
In 1333 Chihaya Castle was surrounded by the Kamakura shogunate's army, but Kusunoki Masashige used the deep valleys around it and clever tricks to hold out, and the castle never fell. While the shogunate's forces were pinned down here, uprisings broke out across Japan, and the Kamakura shogunate soon collapsed. Both the village and the shrine describe it as the castle that did not fall to siege.[1][3][4][7]
From the trail entrance near the Kongo-tozanguchi bus stop up to the Shinomaru site.
What to look at
The stone steps climbing straight up, and the steep slopes on both sides.
Why it's interesting
It takes about 20-30 minutes on foot, uphill the whole way; the tourism association advises approaching it like a short mountain hike. The climb itself lets you feel why a huge army could not take this castle.[3]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideOpen to walk at any time (it is a mountain path, so take care in rain or snow).
The broad leveled bailey and stones thought to be building foundations, plus views through the trees down the valley to the distant plain.
Why it's interesting
Many kuruwa (leveled baileys) remain at Chihaya, and the Shinomaru is especially large. Unlike later castles with stone walls and keeps, this medieval mountain fort was made by carving up the mountain itself, and you can see that here.[1][2]
Chihaya Shrine on the second bailey, and the main enclosure behind it
Where
Further in from the Shinomaru, in the grounds of Chihaya Shrine.
What to look at
The buildings of Chihaya Shrine, said to have begun as the castle's guardian shrine.
Why it's interesting
According to the shrine, it began when Hachiman was enshrined in the main enclosure at the castle's founding in 1332, and Kusunoki Masashige and his son Masatsura were later enshrined too. The village explains that the shrine now stands on the second bailey and that the bailey behind it is the main enclosure, which is off-limits.[1][4]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleThe shrine grounds are open, but the main enclosure is off-limits.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
30 min walk from Kongo-tozanguchi bus stop
Climb
Steep climb
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 1-1.5 hours for the round trip from the trailhead and a look around.
Access
Partly open
The castle site and shrine grounds are open to walk. The main enclosure behind the shrine is off-limits. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is not at the site but at "Kongosan Yama no Tofu" near the trailhead (check its opening days and hours).
Chihaya Castle sits on a mountain spur halfway up Mt. Kongo, above the Chihaya River. Three sides, west, south and north, are steep slopes, and only one side connects by a ridge to the summit. Attackers had to climb hard, while defenders kept a link to the mountain behind them.[2][3]
02
Historical record
Built by Kusunoki Masashige in 1332
In 1332 Kusunoki Masashige, a warrior from Kawachi who sided with Emperor Go-Daigo against the Kamakura shogunate, built Chihaya Castle together with his Kusunoki (Akasaka) castles. According to the tourism association, Shimo-Akasaka was the front line, Kami-Akasaka the main castle, and Chihaya the final stronghold (tsume no shiro) at the back.[1][2][3]
03
Tradition
The siege of 1333
In 1333, after the Akasaka castles fell, Masashige held out at Chihaya against the shogunate's army. The war chronicle Taiheiki describes tricks such as rolling rocks and logs off the cliffs and luring attackers with straw dummies, and tradition says 1,000 defenders faced a million men. The numbers and details are likely exaggerated, but the national heritage description confirms that the castle was not taken.[2][4][7]
04
Tradition
Command post for a network of mountain forts
Masashige is said to have built forts all over Mt. Kongo and used Chihaya as their command post; the Kunimi Castle site near the summit is thought to be one of them. While Chihaya held out, opposition to the shogunate spread across the country, and the Kamakura shogunate fell in 1333.[3][7]
05
Historical record
Fallen at the end of the era, its baileys remain
Chihaya remained a stronghold of the Kusunoki family on the Southern Court side, but near the end of the Northern and Southern Courts period it was captured by the Northern Court's forces and abandoned. No buildings remain, but many baileys carved into the mountain survive, and some possible foundation stones can be seen on the Shinomaru.[1][2][7]
06
Historical record
A National Historic Site since 1934
The Chihaya Castle ruins became a National Historic Site in 1934 and are managed by Chihaya-Akasaka Village. In 2006 the site was chosen as No. 55 of Japan's 100 Fine Castles. Chihaya Shrine stands on the second bailey, and the path up to it runs through the castle site.[2][3][4][8]
National Historic Site (Chihaya Castle ruins) (1934)Editorial article
Selection
Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 51Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Partly open
The castle site and shrine grounds are open to walk. The main enclosure behind the shrine is off-limits. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is not at the site but at "Kongosan Yama no Tofu" near the trailhead (check its opening days and hours).
Address
Chihaya, Chihaya-Akasaka Village, Minamikawachi District, Osaka[2][4]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Nearest stations and how to get there
Kongo-tozanguchi bus stopNankai Bus Kobuka Line from Kawachinagano Station (bound for Kongosan Ropeway-mae), or the Chihaya Line community bus from Tondabayashi Station to Chihayaakasaka Village Junior High School, changing there to the village bus for Kongo-tozanguchi.
about 30 min walk · Steep climb
About 20-30 minutes on foot from the trailhead, uphill all the way. Kongo Bus ended service on December 20, 2023, so ignore older directions that mention it.[3][5][6]
Checked: 2026-10-03
By car / parking
Not confirmed (there is parking near the trailhead, but fees and capacity could not be confirmed officially).
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
The site is open forest; no set hours were found.Checked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 1-1.5 hours for the round trip from the trailhead and a look around.
Steps, slopes and footing
A mountain path of continuous stone steps from the trailhead. Wear proper walking shoes.[3]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Because of the stone-step mountain path, wheelchairs and strollers are impractical (no official guidance found).Checked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Not confirmed
English signs / audio guide
No English information was found.
Seasons
Snow can fall on Mt. Kongo in winter; the tourism association's site has a snow information page.[3]
Photography
No specific rules were found.
Works, closures and restrictions
Buses are infrequent; check the Nankai Bus and village timetables before you go.[5][6]Checked: 2026-10-03
Editors' guide
An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.
Who will enjoy it
For fans of Kusunoki Masashige and the Taiheiki, and for anyone who wants to combine a mountain walk with a medieval castle site. It also makes an easy side trip on a Mt. Kongo hike.
What makes it interesting
This is a castle for reading the land, not for buildings or stone walls. The hard climb, the ridge ringed by valleys and the leveled baileys together show how a small force could hold out.
Before you go
It is far from any train station: take a bus to the trailhead, then climb 20-30 minutes. Kongo Bus no longer runs, so check the current bus times. The 100 Castles stamp is at a shop near the trailhead, not on the site.
Ways to enjoy it
If you have the time and energy, follow the ridge toward the summit of Mt. Kongo and imagine the network of forts Masashige is said to have built. Combine it with the Akasaka castle sites below to see the layered defense from front line to final stronghold.
Photos
Visitor reviews
Be the first to review
Have you visited this castle? We'd love to hear from you.
Write a review
Open questions
The figures of a million attackers and 1,000 defenders, and the straw-dummy tricks, come from the Taiheiki and are likely exaggerated.
The year the castle fell differs by source: the national heritage description appears to give 1384, while Wikipedia gives 1392.
The shrine says it stands on the honmaru site, while the village says it is on the second bailey with the honmaru behind it. This article follows the village.
Parking fees, toilets and the hours of the shop holding the stamp could not be confirmed.
KENPEICC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons
