CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 165
What makes this castle distinctive
Built into the stone base of the keep is a Jizo statue, set in upside down.
Why?
Good building stone was scarce around Nara, so when Toyotomi Hidenaga enlarged the castle he gathered stones from temples and elsewhere in the area. Koriyama's walls contain many such reused stones, including stone Buddhas and temple foundation stones. On the north face of the keep base you can still see a Jizo statue laid in upside down, known as the Sakasa Jizo.[1][2]
The Jizo laid upside down in the wall, and other reused stones such as Buddhist statues and foundation stones.
Why it's interesting
Koriyama's walls, especially around the main enclosure, include many Buddhist statues and temple foundation stones, traces of how stone was scraped together to enlarge the castle in a hurry. Yamatokoriyama City says the castle's festival, the Oshiro Matsuri, began as a memorial service for the stone Buddhas built into the walls.[1][2]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideFreely visible behind the keep base.
The keep base behind Yanagisawa Shrine in the main enclosure, reached by steps on its east side.
What to look at
The old castle town below, and a view reaching to the Daigokuden of Heijo Palace, Yakushiji temple and Mt. Wakakusa.
Why it's interesting
The keep base's walls, which were at risk of collapse, were repaired between 2013 and 2016 and topped with a viewing platform. Excavations during the work found the keep's foundation stones and gold-leaf roof tiles, confirming that a keep, never shown on any old map, had really stood here.[3][2][6]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideOpen 7:00–17:00 from October to March and 7:00–19:00 from April to September. Reached by stairs.
The rebuilt Otte Gate and turrets above the cherry-lined moat
Where
Around the Otte Gate on the castle's southeast side.
What to look at
Otte Mukai Yagura and Otte Higashi Sumi Yagura reflected in the moat, with cherry trees all around.
Why it's interesting
Thanks to a citizens' campaign, the Otte Gate was rebuilt in 1983 in a form close to Hidenaga's day, followed by the Otte Mukai Yagura, a long tamon turret and the Otte Higashi Sumi Yagura by 1987. Some 600 cherry trees line the moats, and the castle is one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.[1]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideExteriors are always visible. Interiors open only for events (regular opening not confirmed).
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
7 min walk from Kintetsu Koriyama Station
Climb
Some climbing
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 1–1.5 hours to walk the grounds; 2 hours if you visit the Yanagisawa Bunko.
Admission
Not confirmed (no fee listed)
Hours
7:00–17:00 October–March; 7:00–19:00 April–September (may change for events)
Access
Open to visitors
The grounds (Koriyama Castle Ruins Park) are free to walk around. The keep-base platform has set hours (7:00–17:00 October–March, 7:00–19:00 April–September). On weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00 (15:00 in winter), volunteer "stone-wall storytellers" give free guidance, weather permitting.
Koriyama Castle sits at the southern tip of the Nishinokyo hills on the west side of the Nara Basin. In 1580 Tsutsui Junkei, whom Oda Nobunaga had put in charge of Yamato province, moved here and began building it as the province's main castle.[1][2]
02
Historical record
Hidenaga's castle of a million koku
In 1585 Toyotomi Hidenaga, Hideyoshi's younger brother, arrived as lord of Yamato, Izumi and Kii, a domain of about a million koku. He greatly expanded the castle as a base for governing the region around the capital, and the city says the castle was largely complete in his time. Stone was so short that blocks were gathered from temples and elsewhere for the walls.[1][2]
03
Historical record
Three rings of moats around castle and town
Masuda Nagamori, who followed Hidenaga, dug the outer moat, fixing the castle's final size. Koriyama was enclosed by three rings of moats, inner, middle and outer, with the castle core, samurai residences and town all inside: a sogamae, or fully enclosed castle town.[1][2]
04
Historical record
The keep taken down; Tokugawa lords move in
After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 the keep was dismantled, and for a time the castle had no lord. Mizuno Katsunari arrived in 1615, followed by other hereditary Tokugawa vassal families such as the Matsudaira and Honda. From 1724 Yanagisawa Yoshisato held the castle, and the Yanagisawa ruled until the Meiji era.[2]
05
Historical record
Buildings gone, walls and moats remain
In the Meiji era the castle buildings were sold off and removed, but the main enclosure with its keep base, the Bishamon bailey and others, the inner moat and the stone walls survive well. Yanagisawa Shrine, dedicated to Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, stands in the main enclosure, the Yanagisawa Bunko library is in the Bishamon bailey, and a high school occupies the former second enclosure.[1][2][6]
06
Historical record
Gate and turrets rebuilt by citizens; a National Historic Site in 2022
The castle core became a Nara Prefecture historic site, and in 1983–1987 the Otte Gate and turrets were rebuilt with help from citizens' donations. In 2017 the keep-base platform was completed and the castle was chosen as No. 165 of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles. In 2021 the Gokuraku Bridge between the main enclosure and the Bishamon bailey was rebuilt, and on November 10, 2022 the site was designated a National Historic Site.[1][2][3][5][6]
The keep was dismantled after the Battle of Sekigahara. Excavation of the keep base confirmed its foundation stones. The top of the base is now a viewing platform.
The site today
The castle core is now Koriyama Castle Ruins Park, with well-preserved inner moats and stone walls. Yanagisawa Shrine and the keep-base viewing platform are in the main enclosure, the Yanagisawa Bunko is in the Bishamon bailey, and the Joshi Kaikan (former Nara Prefectural Library) stands within the grounds. The former second enclosure is Nara Prefectural Koriyama High School, and other baileys are partly occupied by a civic hall and housing.
Stone walls, Moats, Earthen ramparts, Turrets or turret bases, Gates, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation
National Historic Site (Koriyama Castle ruins) (2022); Nara Prefectural Historic Site (castle core) (1960)Editorial article
Selection
Next 100 Fine Castles No. 165Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Open to visitors
The grounds (Koriyama Castle Ruins Park) are free to walk around. The keep-base platform has set hours (7:00–17:00 October–March, 7:00–19:00 April–September). On weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00 (15:00 in winter), volunteer "stone-wall storytellers" give free guidance, weather permitting.
Address
Jonai-cho, Yamatokoriyama, Nara (keep base north of Yanagisawa Shrine)[3]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Nearest stations and how to get there
Kintetsu Koriyama StationKintetsu Kashihara Line
about 7 min walk · Some climbing
Walk west from the station to the castle ruins. The keep base is reached by stairs.[1][3]
Access via Koriyama IC or Yamato Mahoroba Smart IC (Nishi-Meihan Expressway), Nakamachi ramp (Daini-Hanna), or Koriyama-minami IC (Keinawa Expressway). Parking near the ruins is limited, so the city recommends public transport. Tour buses use the Genki Jokamachi Bus Park, about 5 minutes' walk away (reservation required). There is no parking for the keep-base platform.[1][3]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Park hours not confirmed (only the keep-base platform has set hours).[3]Checked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 1–1.5 hours to walk the grounds; 2 hours if you visit the Yanagisawa Bunko.
Steps, slopes and footing
The grounds are mostly level, but the keep-base platform is reached by stairs.[3]
Wheelchairs and strollers
The keep base is reached only by stairs. Other accessibility details not confirmed.[3]Checked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Not confirmed
English signs / audio guide
Not confirmed
Seasons
About 600 cherry trees around the moats (the Goten-zakura) make it one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, with the Oshiro Matsuri festival at blossom time. A moon-viewing gathering is held on the keep base at the autumn full moon, and it opens specially for the first sunrise of the year.[1]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
The Yanagisawa Bunko closes for exhibition changes and in summer; check its official calendar before visiting.[7]Checked: 2026-10-03
A two-story wooden library building from 1907, moved to the castle grounds; a Nara Prefectural Cultural Property. The ground-floor hall opens on weekends and holidays.[4][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 travelers adding a castle to a Nara trip, anyone who enjoys hunting for reused stones in castle walls, and cherry-blossom seekers. Close to the station and mostly level, it is an easy visit.
What makes it interesting
Start behind the keep base by finding the Sakasa Jizo, then spot the other Buddhist statues and foundation stones scattered through the walls. On top of the keep base, look out over the Nara Basin from where Hidenaga's keep once stood. On your way out, see the Otte Gate and the turrets reflected in the moat.
Before you go
There is no keep; the Otte Gate and turrets are Showa-era rebuilds. The keep-base platform has fixed hours and is reached by stairs. Parking is scarce, so the train is easiest.
Ways to enjoy it
On weekends and holidays, ask the volunteer "stone-wall storytellers" to point out the reused stones. Spring, with its cherry blossoms and castle festival, is the liveliest time.
Photos
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Open questions
Tradition says the keep had five tiers, but architectural historians suggest it was smaller; its appearance is still unknown.
Some origins of the reused stones, such as one said to be a foundation stone of Rajomon gate, are traditions.
The Gokuraku Bridge rebuild date (2021), the 1960 prefectural designation and the Eikeiji gate's origin come from Wikipedia.
Park hours, toilets, accessibility, the location of the Continued Top 100 stamp and English signage could not be confirmed.
663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons
