CastleMountain castle (yamajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 114
What makes this castle distinctive
The worship hall of the shrine on the summit is said to be the castle's remodeled keep turret, on a mountain castle with stone walls, a rarity in the Kanto region.
Why?
Kasama Castle stood on the summit of Mt. Sashiro (205 m) and remained a mountain castle even in the Edo period, when few such castles were still in use. A two-story keep turret stood in the keep enclosure, and the worship hall of Sashino Shrine, which returned to the summit in the Meiji era, is said to be that turret remodeled. Kasama City notes that a mountain castle with stone walls is unusual in the Kanto region.[1][2][3]
Keep-enclosure walls built from the mountain's own rock
Where
The keep enclosure around the summit and the stone steps leading up to it.
What to look at
Walls of rough natural stone, the wedge holes (yaana) left where stones were split, and the steps up to the keep enclosure.
Why it's interesting
In the early Edo period the lord Gamo Satonari brought in stonemasons skilled in the techniques of Omi (today's Shiga Prefecture), who split rock exposed on the mountain and hauled it up the steep slopes to build the walls. The city calls the keep-enclosure walls the castle's most striking remains, still in their original form.[3][7][4][2][1]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleParts of the keep-enclosure walls and steps collapsed in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and some areas near the keep are off-limits. Follow the signs on site.
Sashino Shrine, said to be the remodeled keep turret
Where
The keep enclosure on the summit.
What to look at
The worship hall of Sashino Shrine standing on the stone walls.
Why it's interesting
In the Edo period a two-story keep turret stood on the summit. Sashino Shrine had been worshipped on the summit since ancient times, was moved to the foot of the mountain in the Kamakura period, and returned to the top in 1872. The city says its worship hall is the remodeled keep turret, built from the original materials.[2][3][1]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleThere are off-limits areas near the keep because of earthquake damage. Follow the signs on site.
Shinjoji, a Nichiren temple in the old castle town, north of the Omachi and Atago-machi area.
What to look at
The two-story white-walled turret at the top of the temple steps, now the Shichimen-do hall.
Why it's interesting
This was a lookout turret on the Hachimandai corner of the main enclosure, used as an armory in the Edo period. After the castle was abandoned, the temple's followers asked to acquire it, and it was moved here in 1880 to serve as a worship hall. One of the few surviving buildings of Kasama Castle, it was designated an Ibaraki Prefecture cultural property, "Kasama Castle Turret," in 1969.[5][2]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe exterior can be seen from the temple grounds. Whether the interior is open is not confirmed.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
60 min walk from JR Kasama Station
Climb
Steep climb
Time neededEditors' estimate
About an hour to walk from the Sennindamari lot around the keep enclosure; add about 30 minutes by car to include Shinjoji Temple.
Access
Partly open
The castle site can be explored on mountain paths, but because the keep-enclosure walls and steps collapsed in the 2011 earthquake, there is an off-limits zone near the keep. At the Sennindamari parking lot, the city warns of falling trees and branches and asks visitors not to park in strong winds; the lot closes when a typhoon approaches or a strong-wind warning is issued.
Kasama Castle stood on the summit of Mt. Sashiro (205 m), locally called Oshiroyama, "Castle Mountain." The east, south and west sides are steep and easy to defend, so the gentler north side was protected with layers of enclosures, earthen ramparts and moats, stone walls and the main gate. The city describes it as a castle built purely for defense.[3]
02
Historical record
Some 750 years of castle lords
The castle is said to have been built in the Kamakura period by Kasama Tokitomo (1203–1265), and for some 750 years it was the seat of successive rulers of Kasama. Early in the Edo period Gamo Satonari built the stone walls that formed the framework of the later castle. After lords from the Asano, Inoue and other families, the Makino family arrived in 1747 and ruled until the Meiji era.[1][3][8][9][6]
03
Historical record
Government moves to the foot of the mountain
The domain offices were originally in the main enclosure just below the summit, but climbing the mountain path every day was a burden. Around the end of the Kan'ei era (about 1640) the lord Asano Naganao built the Shimoyashiki at the foot of the mountain, a palace that served as both domain office and his residence. The mountaintop castle remained as the defensive stronghold.[9]
04
Historical record
What survived
The castle was abolished in the Meiji era. The keep turret is said to have become the worship hall of Sashino Shrine, and the Hachimandai turret was moved to Shinjoji Temple in the town in 1880 as its Shichimen-do hall. On the mountain, the walls and steps of the keep enclosure, the earthen ramparts and dry moats of the main enclosure, foundation stones of turrets and gates, and the Tamadare well remain.[2][3][5]
05
Historical record
Earthquake damage and the push for national status
The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 caused major damage, including the collapse of parts of the keep-enclosure walls and steps. The city has carried out emergency repairs and continues to survey the site, aiming for a higher designation, such as National Historic Site, in fiscal 2027. In 2017 the castle was chosen as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.[1][4][6]
founding year given by the Japan Castle Foundation
Kasama Tokitomo is said to have built the castle[6][1]
around the end of the Kan'ei era
Asano Naganao builds the Shimoyashiki office and residence at the foot of the mountain[9]
Makino Sadamichi becomes lord; the Makino rule until the Meiji era[8]
Sashino Shrine returns to the summit; its hall is said to be the converted keep turret[3]
The Hachimandai turret is moved to Shinjoji Temple as its Shichimen-do[5]
The Great East Japan Earthquake collapses parts of the keep-enclosure walls and steps[1][4]
Chosen as No. 112 of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles[6]
Buildings and remains
The keep today
Keep lost
A two-story keep turret stood in the Edo period. The Japan Castle Foundation lists no keep; the turret is said to survive as the shrine's worship hall, but its form as a keep is gone.
The site today
The summit and main enclosure of Mt. Sashiro are a city historic site, with Sashino Shrine in the keep enclosure. Stone walls, steps, earthen ramparts, dry moats, foundation stones and a well remain on the mountain, which lies in Kasama Prefectural Natural Park. The site of the Shimoyashiki at the foot is now Sanroku Park.
Main buildings
Original, relocatedIbaraki Prefecture Cultural Property (Kasama Castle Turret)
Moved to Shinjoji in 1880. Designated by the prefecture in 1969 and dismantled and repaired in 1974, keeping its structure, to its present white-walled look.[5]
Not confirmed
Keep turret (worship hall of Sashino Shrine)
The city says the two-story keep turret was remodeled into the worship hall; another city article says this is how it is told.[2][3]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Mountain castle (yamajiro)built on a mountain; expect a climbEditorial article
Period
Medieval (c.1185–1570s), Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Keep lostthe castle had a keep, but it no longer stands (its stone base may remain)Editorial article
Moats, Stone walls, Earthen ramparts, Wells, Turrets or turret bases, Gates, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation
Kasama City Historic Site (keep enclosure and main enclosure); Ibaraki Prefecture Cultural Property (Kasama Castle Turret) (1969)Editorial article
Selection
Next 100 Fine Castles No. 114Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Partly open
The castle site can be explored on mountain paths, but because the keep-enclosure walls and steps collapsed in the 2011 earthquake, there is an off-limits zone near the keep. At the Sennindamari parking lot, the city warns of falling trees and branches and asks visitors not to park in strong winds; the lot closes when a typhoon approaches or a strong-wind warning is issued.
The city gives one hour on foot from the station; the last part climbs Mt. Sashiro.[1]
Checked: 2026-10-03
By car / parking
About 20 minutes from Tomobe IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway via Route 355. You can use the Sennindamari parking lot on the mountain (number of spaces not confirmed).[1][2]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About an hour to walk from the Sennindamari lot around the keep enclosure; add about 30 minutes by car to include Shinjoji Temple.
Steps, slopes and footing
Mountain paths and stone steps throughout, with a stone stairway up to the keep enclosure. Wear sturdy shoes.[2][3]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Not confirmed
English signs / audio guide
Not confirmed
Seasons
Mt. Sashiro lies within Kasama Prefectural Natural Park and is rich in plant life.[3]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
The area near the keep is off-limits due to earthquake damage. The Sennindamari parking lot may close in strong winds or when a typhoon approaches.[1][2]Checked: 2026-10-03
A park at the foot of Mt. Sashiro, once the site of the Shimoyashiki, the palace that served as the Kasama domain's office and the lord's residence.[9]
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 those who want to see a stone-walled mountain castle, rare in Kanto, anyone curious how a keep and turret survived in new forms, and people who enjoy a mountain walk.
What makes it interesting
On the keep-enclosure walls, look for the wedge holes where rock was split. Then head down to Shinjoji to see the Shichimen-do, once a castle turret, and the mountaintop castle becomes easier to picture.
Before you go
Earthquake damage means an off-limits zone near the keep. It is an hour's walk from the station, with mountain paths and steps. The parking lot may close in strong winds or typhoons.
Ways to enjoy it
In the main enclosure just below the summit, look for the foundation stones of the Hachimandai turret and the gates. At Sashino Shrine, try to imagine the hall as the two-story keep turret it once was.
Photos
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Open questions
That Sashino Shrine's worship hall is the converted keep turret is stated as fact on the city's cultural property page but as "it is said" in the city's history series.
The founding year of 1219 follows the Japan Castle Foundation's list; the city says only that Kasama Tokitomo built it in the Kamakura period and that it served as the seat of Kasama's rulers for about 750 years.
The years Gamo Satonari held Kasama and the dates of the changes between the Asano, Inoue and other lords were not confirmed here.
The exact extent of the off-limits zone, the year of city designation, parking capacity, toilets, English information, and whether the Shichimen-do interior is open could not be confirmed.
Σ64CC BY 3.0Wikimedia Commons
