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Tall Edo-period stone walls on the hilltop (October 2012).
AltomarinaCC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons

Niigata · Murakami

Murakami Castle

村上城

Murakami, Niigata

CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 131

What makes this castle distinctive

On a small hill shaped like a lying ox, Sengoku-era trenches and Edo-period stone walls survive side by side.

Why?

Murakami Castle stands on Gagyusan, a 135 m hill whose name means "lying ox." In the Sengoku period it was a mountain fortress of the Honjo clan, who cut defensive trenches down its slopes. In the Edo period, later lords rebuilt the top with stone walls, so remains from both eras now lie together. That mix led to its designation as a National Historic Site in 1993.[1][2]

Three things not to miss

01
Tall Edo-period stone walls on the hilltop (October 2012).AltomarinaCC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons

The projecting turret base and tall walls of the main enclosure

Where
Below the main enclosure on the summit, around the Kuromon gate site, along a narrow ridge path.
What to look at
The base of the projecting turret (deyagura) and the tall stone walls lining the narrow path.
Why it's interesting
The layout let defenders fire down together on enemies squeezed onto the narrow path. The castle's preservation foundation calls it the site's signature view. The crumbling turret-base walls were taken apart and rebuilt from 2003 to 2015, and work on the Kuromon gate walls below continues.[1][4]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideFree to see; areas under repair may be fenced off.
02

Sengoku-era trenches on the slopes

Where
The west end of the third enclosure and the east slope below the main enclosure, among other places.
What to look at
Ditches dug straight down the hillside.
Why it's interesting
These trenches stopped attackers from moving sideways across the slope. About eight survive on the hill, the largest more than 8 m deep and 100 m long. Medieval trenches lying right next to Edo-period stone walls is what makes Murakami special.[1][4]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideVisible from the trails.
03
The keep base in the main enclosure on the summit (October 2012). The keep burned after a lightning strike in 1667 and was never rebuilt.AltomarinaCC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons

The keep base and the view from the top

Where
The main enclosure on the summit.
What to look at
Dark marks on the keep base's stones, and the view over the castle town, the Sea of Japan and the Miomote River.
Why it's interesting
A three-tiered keep once stood here, but it burned after a lightning strike in 1667 and was never rebuilt. Dark stains on the stones are thought to be scorch marks. On clear days, the preservation foundation says, you can see Awashima and even Sado Island.[1][4]
Can you see it?
Visible from outside15–20 minutes' climb from the foot of the hill.

At a glance for visitors

Nearest station
25 min walk from JR Murakami Station
Climb
Steep climb
Time neededEditors' estimate
1 to 1.5 hours to climb to the top and back while seeing the main features.
Admission
Not confirmed
Hours
9:00–16:30 (per the city's 2018 notice)
Access
Open to visitors

Free to visit. You must walk up to the keep base in the main enclosure. In winter snow and ice can make the trail hard going, and in recent years trails have sometimes been closed because of bears. The Continued Japan 100 Castles stamp is at three places: the lobby of the Murakami City Folk Museum (Oshagiri Kaikan), the main entrance of Tohoku Electric Power's Murakami center (the city says the entrance is always open), and the preservation foundation's office (weekdays only). Castle seals are given at Fujimoto Shrine on the old third enclosure (9:00–17:00, 500 yen).

Checked:

View on mapOpen in Google MapsMurakami Castle official site (preservation foundation, Japanese)Murakami City: Murakami Castle ruins (Japanese)

The story of this castle

01
Historical record

Beginnings as the Honjo clan's fortress

No one knows exactly when Murakami Castle was founded, but it is thought to have existed by the first half of the 1500s. It was the seat of the Honjo clan, local lords of the Koizumi estate, and was originally called Honjo Castle. The Honjo were a powerful warrior family of northern Echigo.[1][3]

02
Historical record

Holding out against Uesugi Kenshin

In 1568 the lord, Honjo Shigenaga, conspired with Takeda Shingen and rebelled against Uesugi Kenshin, who besieged the castle. Shigenaga held out for a long time in a fortress that made the most of the hill's terrain, and the two sides eventually made peace. The Senganmaru Well inside the castle is said to have kept the defenders supplied, and it still holds water.[1][3][4]

03
Historical record

Rebuilt in stone in the Edo period

When the Honjo left in 1598, Murakami Yorikatsu arrived and began rebuilding the castle with stone walls and moats. Hori Naoyori, who arrived in 1618, built a three-tiered keep and completed a fortified town ringed by earthen banks and moats. Matsudaira Naonori, who came in 1649, carried out further major works, building a new keep and many turrets.[1][3]

04
Historical record

The keep lost to lightning; the rest dismantled in Meiji

The keep burned after a lightning strike in 1667 and was never rebuilt. From 1720 the Naito family ruled for eight generations, about 150 years. After the Boshin War of 1868–69, every building and gate except the stone walls was dismantled by 1875. Of the town's 14 gates, only the site of the Gedo Gate remains.[1][3][4]

05
Historical record

Ongoing stone wall repairs

The site became a National Historic Site in 1993. Since fiscal 1999 the city has been rebuilding the damaged hilltop walls, with excavations alongside. From 2003 to 2015 the walls of the main enclosure's turret base were dismantled and rebuilt, and since fiscal 2014 the area around the Kuromon gate walls has been surveyed and restored.[1]

People of this castle

Timeline

  1. first half of the 16th century (estimated)

    Exists as the Honjo clan's castle[1]

  2. Honjo Shigenaga withstands a siege by Uesugi Kenshin[1][3]

  3. Hori Naoyori arrives and completes the keep and fortified town (around 1620)[3]

  4. The keep burns after a lightning strike[3][4]

  5. The Naito family arrives and rules until the end of the shogunate[1][3]

  6. All buildings and gates except the stone walls are dismantled[3]

  7. Designated a National Historic Site[1]

Buildings and remains

The keep today

Keep lost

A three-tiered keep stood here until a lightning fire in 1667; it was never rebuilt. The keep base remains.

The site today

On top of Gagyusan (Oshiroyama) the stone walls of the main, second and third enclosures and the keep base survive, with medieval trenches and terraces on the slopes. No buildings remain. At the foot are outer earthen banks, the Gedo Gate site and Fujimoto Shrine on the former third enclosure, and the castle town survives as streets of old merchant houses.

Main buildings

Lost

Keep (tenshu)

Burned after a lightning strike in 1667.[3]

Lost

Gates, turrets and other buildings

All dismantled by 1875. The sites of the Kane, Kabuki and Yotsu gates and others remain.[3][4]

Key facts

Type
Castle
Setting
Hilltop castle (hirayamajiro)built on a low hill rising from the plainEditorial 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
Built by
Honjō clanJapan Castle Foundation
Built
1500Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Honda clan, Matsudaira clan, Sakakibara clan, Hori clan, Naitō clan, Honjō clan, Murakami clan, Manabe clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1871Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Stone walls, Moats, Keep base (tenshudai), Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Fortified gateways (koguchi), Earthen rampartsEditorial article
Designation
National Historic Site (Murakami Castle ruins) (1993)Editorial article
Selection
Next 100 Fine Castles No. 131Japan Castle Foundation

Visiting

Access

Open to visitors

Free to visit. You must walk up to the keep base in the main enclosure. In winter snow and ice can make the trail hard going, and in recent years trails have sometimes been closed because of bears. The Continued Japan 100 Castles stamp is at three places: the lobby of the Murakami City Folk Museum (Oshagiri Kaikan), the main entrance of Tohoku Electric Power's Murakami center (the city says the entrance is always open), and the preservation foundation's office (weekdays only). Castle seals are given at Fujimoto Shrine on the old third enclosure (9:00–17:00, 500 yen).

Address

Ninomachi and surrounding areas, Murakami, Niigata (the trail entrance is in Ninomachi)[2][5]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Nearest stations and how to get there

JR Murakami StationJR Uetsu Line

about 25 min walk · Steep climb

About 20–30 minutes on foot from the station to the trail entrance (about 5 minutes by taxi), then a 15–20 minute climb to the main enclosure.[2][9]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Hours and admission

Murakami City Folk Museum (Oshagiri Kaikan), stamp location
Hours
9:00–16:30 (per the city's 2018 notice)
Closed
December 29 – January 4 (subject to change; check ahead)
Admission
Not confirmed[7]
Checked: 2026-10-03

By car / parking

About 10 minutes from the Murakami-Senami-Onsen IC on the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway. There is a free dedicated parking area. The surrounding streets are narrow, and the city publishes a recommended route. Large buses cannot reach the parking area; use the free lots at Murakami City Hall or the Folk Museum.[2][9]

Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Not confirmed (open year-round, weather permitting in winter)[5]Checked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
1 to 1.5 hours to climb to the top and back while seeing the main features.
Steps, slopes and footing
Steep slopes, steps, stone stairs and dirt paths; slippery in the rain. Children can manage it, and it is a standard school-trip hike locally.[5]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Too steep and stepped for strollers or wheelchairs; the foundation suggests exploring the foot of the hill instead.[5]Checked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Toilets at the foot of the hill; none near the summit.[5]
English signs / audio guide
No English information could be confirmed.
Seasons
Bring insect repellent and sun protection in summer; watch for snow and ice in winter.[5]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
Stone wall repairs continue near the Kuromon gate site. Trails may close because of bears, so check the latest information before you go.[4][5]Checked: 2026-10-03

Around the castle

Castle town

Fujimoto Shrine

A shrine on the site of the castle's third enclosure, within the National Historic Site. It issues the castle seal for Murakami Castle. About 8 minutes' walk from the castle.[8]

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 stone-wall fans, anyone who wants to see a Sengoku mountain fort and an Edo castle in one place, and those who also want to explore a castle town. The hill is low enough for families.

What makes it interesting

On the way up, look for both the trenches on the slopes (Sengoku) and the stone walls higher up (Edo). Near the top, don't miss the turret base and tall walls, the huge mirror stone at the Kabuki Gate (bedrock of the hill itself), and the dark scorch-like marks on the keep base.

Before you go

No buildings survive, and it is a 15–20 minute hike up. Wear good shoes, and check bear warnings and winter snow conditions. The stamp is not on the hill but at three places in town, such as the Folk Museum.

Ways to enjoy it

After the view of the castle town and the Sea of Japan from the top, walk the old merchant-house streets below to see how the castle and town fit together. Fujimoto Shrine's hand-written castle seal makes a nice memento.

Photos

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Open questions

Sources

  1. 1
    国指定史跡 村上城跡村上市 生涯学習課 文化行政推進室municipalChecked:
  2. 2
    国指定史跡村上城跡(お城山)村上市municipalChecked:
  3. 3
    歴史と概要一般財団法人 村上城跡保存育英会(村上城跡公式サイト)officialChecked:
  4. 4
    構造と見どころ一般財団法人 村上城跡保存育英会(村上城跡公式サイト)officialChecked:
  5. 5
    アクセス・よくあるご質問一般財団法人 村上城跡保存育英会(村上城跡公式サイト)officialChecked:
  6. 6
    続日本100名城 一覧公益財団法人日本城郭協会jokakuChecked:
  7. 7
    城郭スタンプラリー村上市municipalChecked:
  8. 8
    御城印・続100名城スタンプ一般財団法人 村上城跡保存育英会(村上城跡公式サイト)officialChecked:
  9. 9
    アクセス一般財団法人 村上城跡保存育英会(村上城跡公式サイト)officialChecked:
  10. 10
    List of Japan's 100 Fine Castles and the Next 100公益財団法人日本城郭協会jokakuChecked:
  11. 11
    Wikipedia「村上城」Wikipedia日本語版wikipediaChecked:
  12. 12
    Wikidata Q11522758WikidatawikidataChecked:
  13. 13
    OpenStreetMap node/3854634768© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)osmChecked:

Listing status

  1. Candidate foundChecked
  2. Confirmed as a castle siteChecked
  3. Basic informationChecked
  4. In-depth articleChecked
  5. Photo rights checkedChecked
  6. Visit info checkedChecked

Castles nearby

Hirabayashi Castle9.2 km · Not yet confirmedTozaka Castle18.5 km · Not yet confirmed

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