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Tokyo · Hachiōji

Hachiōji Castle

八王子城

Hachiōji, Tokyo

CastleMountain castle (yamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 15

What makes this castle distinctive

A mountain castle that fell, still unfinished, while its lord Hojo Ujiteru was away defending Odawara.

Why?

When Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked the Hojo clan in 1590, the castle's lord, Ujiteru, was holding out at the clan's main fortress, Odawara Castle. On June 23, the armies of Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu attacked Hachioji Castle in his absence, and it fell. Ujiteru had planned a vast castle here, but it was not yet finished.^[1]

Three things not to miss

The stone walls and steps of the Goshuden

Where: The Goshuden site, where the lord's residence stood, reached by the walking path from the guidance center
What to look at: The stone stairway that turns as it climbs (the koguchi, a fortified entrance), the stone walls, and the foundation stones of the residence
Why it's interesting: This is where Ujiteru's residence stood. It was restored around 1990, the 400th anniversary of the castle's fall. The stone walls and paving reuse as many of the original excavated stones as possible, and damaged parts were repaired to match their original form, so you can see Warring States-period stonework up close.^[1]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideReachable on the walking path; free.

Hikibashi, the bridge over the Shiroyama River

Where: Where the old path crosses to the Goshuden site
What to look at: The wooden bridge over the ravine and the Goshuden walls rising beyond it
Why it's interesting: This bridge was the way into the Goshuden. Only traces of its piers were found, so it was rebuilt with modern methods along the original route. How the original worked is debated; one idea is that its planks could be removed when enemies approached.^[5]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideYou can cross it.

The main enclosure on the summit

Where: The summit of Shiroyama (about 460 m above sea level), reached by a maintained mountain trail
What to look at: The terraced baileys (kuruwa) stepping up the ridge, and the view from the summit
Why it's interesting: The castle was split into a defensive zone on the mountain and a residential zone at its foot. Hiking to the summit lets you feel how the ridges were carved into stacked baileys.^[1][5]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideThe trail is maintained, but you need hiking clothes and shoes. Asian black bears have been sighted, so carry a bell or radio. The toilet near the summit closed on September 9, 2026.

At a glance for visitors

Nearest station: 20 min walk from JR Takao Station, North Exit (by bus)
Climb: Some climbing
Time neededEditors' estimate: About 1–1.5 hours for a round trip to the Goshuden site; allow around 3 hours if you also climb to the summit.
Admission: Free
Hours: 9:00–17:00
Access: Partly open
The site, walking path and summit trail are free. Leaving the maintained path to the Goshuden site and the trail to the summit is prohibited for safety. Night visits are prohibited. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is at the guidance center.

Checked: 2026-10-03

View on map Open in Google Maps Hachioji City: Hachioji Castle Ruins (Japanese)Hachioji City: Guidance Center (Japanese)

The story of this castle

Historical record

A mountain fortress guarding the west

Hachioji Castle was built by Hojo Ujiteru, the third son of Hojo Ujiyasu, third head of the Hojo clan of Odawara. As a branch castle of Odawara, its job was to guard the western edge of the Kanto region. It was divided into a defensive zone on the mountain, a residential zone on the slope, and a castle town at the foot.^[1][5]

Scholarly interpretation

Hojo Ujiteru moves from Takiyama

Construction began in the Tensho era (1573–1592), and Ujiteru is thought to have moved his base here from Takiyama Castle sometime between 1584 and 1587. He planned an enormous castle, but work was still going on when it fell, and it was never finished.^[1]

Historical record

The fall of June 23, 1590

In 1590 Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked the Hojo clan in the Kanto region. Ujiteru was holed up in Odawara Castle, leaving Hachioji Castle without its lord. On June 23 it was attacked by the armies of Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu and fell. After Odawara surrendered, Ujiteru and his elder brother Ujimasa were made to commit ritual suicide.^[1]

Tradition

The legend of Goshuden Falls

Legend says that when the castle fell, women and warriors in the Goshuden threw themselves into the falls, and the Shiroyama River ran red for three days and nights. The castle was abandoned afterward, leaving stone walls, deep trenches and baileys hidden in the mountain forest.^[5]

Historical record

Restoring the site

The site became a National Historic Site in 1951, followed by excavation and restoration. Around 1990, the 400th anniversary of the fall, the Goshuden walls, its entrance and the old path were restored. It was named one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006, and a guidance center with exhibits and a rest area stands at the foot of the mountain. In 2020 it became part of the Japan Heritage story centered on nearby Mount Takao.^[1][2][5]

People of this castle

Builder and lord of the castle

Hojo Ujiteru

北条氏照

?–1590

Third son of Hojo Ujiyasu, third head of the Hojo clan of Odawara. He moved his base from Takiyama Castle and built Hachioji Castle.

Lord

Later Hōjō clan

小田原北条氏

Timeline

1584
Estimated between 1584 and 1587
Hojo Ujiteru moves his base here from Takiyama Castle^[1]
1590
June 23: the castle falls to the armies of Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu^[1]
1951
Designated a National Historic Site^[5]
1990
The Goshuden site is restored for the 400th anniversary of the fall^[1]
2006
Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles^[1]
2012
The guidance center opens at the foot of the mountain^[5]

Buildings and remains

The keep today

No keep was built

There was no keep. A spot near the summit is traditionally called the keep site, but no trace of a building has been found there.

The site today

Shiroyama and its foot are maintained as a historic site, with a guidance center, a walking path to the Goshuden site and a trail to the summit. Leaving the paths is prohibited. Parts of the original castle area are now cemeteries or private land.

Main buildings

Site only

Goshuden walls, entrance and steps

Rebuilt around 1990 using as many of the original excavated stones as possible.^[1]

Modern reconstruction

Hikibashi bridge

Built with modern methods along the original route, based on pier remains.^[5]

Modern reconstruction

Kabukimon gate

A gate built to suggest the original; replaced in 2010.^[5]

Key facts

Type: Castle
Setting: Mountain castle (yamajiro)built on a mountain; expect a climbEditorial article
Period: Medieval (c.1185–1570s)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu): No keep was builtthe castle never had a keepEditorial article
Built by: Hojo UjiteruJapan Castle Foundation
Built: 1582Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords: Hojo Ujiteru, Later Hōjō clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned: 1590Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see: Stone walls, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Trench cuts (horikiri), Wells, Vertical moats (tatebori), Fortified gateways (koguchi), GatesEditorial article
Designation: National Historic Site (Hachioji Castle ruins) (1951)Editorial article
Selection: Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 15Japan Castle Foundation

Visiting

Access

Partly open

The site, walking path and summit trail are free. Leaving the maintained path to the Goshuden site and the trail to the summit is prohibited for safety. Night visits are prohibited. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is at the guidance center.

Address

3-2664-2 Motohachioji-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo (Hachioji Castle Ruins Guidance Center)^[1][2]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Nearest stations and how to get there

JR Takao Station, North Exit (by bus)JR Chuo Line, Keio Takao Line

about 20 min walk · Some climbing

From North Exit stop 1, take a Nishi Tokyo Bus to "Reien-mae / Hachiojijoseki Iriguchi" and walk about 20 minutes. On weekends and holidays a direct bus runs to "Hachiojijoseki".^[1][2]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Hours and admission

Hachioji Castle Ruins Guidance Center

Hours: 9:00–17:00
Closed: December 29 – January 3, and occasional closures
Admission: Free^[2]

Checked: 2026-10-03

By car / parking

About 10 minutes from Hachioji-nishi IC on the Ken-O Expressway, or about 40 minutes from Hachioji IC on the Chuo Expressway. The guidance center lot has 50 car spaces, 4 bus spaces (reservation required) and 2 wheelchair spaces; free, 9:00–17:00. An overflow lot is also available. No street parking.^[1][2]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Grounds opening hours

No official site hours were found, but night visits are prohibited. The parking lot and guidance center are open 9:00–17:00.^[1][2]Checked: 2026-10-03

Time neededEditors' estimate

About 1–1.5 hours for a round trip to the Goshuden site; allow around 3 hours if you also climb to the summit.

Steps, slopes and footing

A walking path leads to the Goshuden site; the summit requires a mountain hike. Wear comfortable clothes and broken-in shoes.^[1]

Wheelchairs and strollers

Two wheelchair parking spaces at the guidance center. Accessibility of the paths not confirmed.^[2]Checked: 2026-10-03

Toilets and rest

Toilets at the guidance center and management building (9:00–17:00). The toilet near the summit closed on September 9, 2026.^[1]

English signs / audio guide

English guidance not confirmed; the walking map has English headings. Commentary is available through the Pocket Gakugeiin smartphone app.^[1]

Seasons

Not confirmed

Photography

Not confirmed

Works, closures and restrictions

An Asian black bear was sighted on May 30, 2026. Carry a bell or radio in the mountains and do not provoke wildlife. The toilet near the summit closed on September 9, 2026. No fires; do not collect plants or animals. Free guiding by volunteers is available.^[1]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

Good for hikers and anyone who wants to explore a Warring States mountain castle on foot. There is no keep or standing building, but the stone walls and terrain survive. It is an easy day trip from central Tokyo.

What makes it interesting

Start at the guidance center to learn the castle's layout and Ujiteru's story, then walk to the Goshuden site. Cross the Hikibashi bridge and climb the bending stone steps to see how the entrance was designed to slow attackers. If you have the energy, hike up to the summit for the mountaintop baileys and the view.

Before you go

Getting there means a bus plus a walk. The summit trail is a real mountain path, so come prepared and be down before dark. Bears have been sighted and the summit toilet is closed. Stay on the marked paths.

Ways to enjoy it

Free volunteer guides can show you how to read the walls and paths. Stop by Goshuden Falls, the setting of the castle's tragic legend, to reflect on the castle's last day.

Photos

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Open questions

The founding date is uncertain: Hachioji City says construction began in the Tensho era with the move around 1584–1587; the Japan Castle Foundation says after 1582(?). Other theories date it to 1571 or 1578.
The story of women throwing themselves into Goshuden Falls and the river running red is a legend.
The original design of the Hikibashi bridge is unknown; several theories exist.
The designation year (1951), the history of the Hikibashi bridge and Kabukimon gate, the elevation and the guidance center's opening year (2012) come from Wikipedia and similar sources. Seasonal highlights, photo rules, English guidance and site hours could not be confirmed.