Japan Castle Atlas

Uesugi Kagekatsu

上杉景勝

Uesugi Kenshin's nephew and adopted son. He won the succession war after Kenshin's death (the Otate Rebellion), became master of Kasugayama Castle, and was transferred to Aizu by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598.

Years: 1556–1623

Historical record

Story

In the succession war he fought Kenshin's other adopted son, Kagetora. Shibata Shigeie, who had helped him win, received no reward and later rebelled; Kagekatsu took Shigeie's castle at Shibata in 1587.

Connected castles

The site of the honmaru (main bailey) near the 180 m summit, October 2019. No buildings remain, but the leveled bailey (kuruwa) is still clear.

In-depth article

Jōetsu, Niigata

Kasugayama Castle

春日山城

Uesugi Kenshin's castle had no stone walls and no keep: it was carved out of an entire mountain.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 32CastleMountain

柴錬アワーCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

lord of the castleRecord source: article

The three-story Sangai Yagura rising beyond the moat and stone walls, May 2020. Rebuilt in wood in 2004, it served as Shibata Castle's de facto keep.

In-depth article

Shibata, Niigata

Shibata Castle

新発田城

On the roof of the turret that served as the castle's keep, there are three shachi ornaments instead of the usual pair.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 31CastleFlatland

Drph17CC BY 4.0Wikimedia Commons

captured Shibata Shigeie's earlier castle on the siteRecord source: article

The approach to Uesugi Shrine. The bridge in front crosses the moat of Yonezawa Castle's main enclosure, and beyond the torii gate lies the former honmaru (July 2025).

In-depth article

Yonezawa, Yamagata

Yonezawa Castle

米沢城

The grounds of the shrine to Uesugi Kenshin are also the main enclosure of the castle where Date Masamune was born.

Next 100 Fine Castles No. 109CastleFlatland

掬茶CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

first lord of the Yonezawa domainRecord source: article

The red-tiled keep on its stone base, May 2022. The keep was rebuilt to its outward appearance from old photographs in 1965, and in 2011 its roof was re-tiled in red, as it was at the end of the Edo period.

In-depth article

Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima

Aizuwakamatsu Castle

会津若松城

The only castle in Japan today where you can see a keep roofed in red tiles.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 12CastleHilltop

Miyuki MeinakaCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

LordRecord source: wikipedia

The approach to Uesugi Shrine. The bridge in front crosses the moat of Yonezawa Castle's main enclosure, and beyond the torii gate lies the former honmaru (July 2025).

In-depth article

Yonezawa, Yamagata

Yonezawa Castle

米沢城

The grounds of the shrine to Uesugi Kenshin are also the main enclosure of the castle where Date Masamune was born.

Next 100 Fine Castles No. 109CastleFlatland

掬茶CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia

Kamiyashi Castle

Basic information

Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima

Kamiyashi Castle

神指城

user:hiroyuki0904Public domainWikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: wikipedia

Arato Castle

Basic information

Yuzawa, Niigata

Arato Castle

荒戸城

兵どもが夢の跡山さんCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: wikipedia

Kinjō Castle

Basic information

Sanjō, Niigata

Kinjō Castle

三条城

鈴木健007CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia

Kubiki Katsuyama CastleCastleNo photo of this castle yet

Basic information

Itoigawa, Niigata

Kubiki Katsuyama Castle

勝山城

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia

Kosaka CastleCastleNo photo of this castle yet

Basic information

Chikuma, Nagano

Kosaka Castle

小坂城

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia

Koba CastleCastleNo photo of this castle yet

Basic information

Niigata

Koba Castle

木場城

BuiltRecord source: wikipedia

Sources

1
歴史と概要新発田重家と上杉景勝の抗争1(新発田市)Checked: 2026-10-03
2
歴史と概要新発田重家と上杉景勝の抗争2(新発田市)Checked: 2026-10-03
3
福島城址(上越市)Checked: 2026-10-03
4
上杉景勝(補助資料・生没年)Checked: 2026-10-03
5
米沢の偉人上杉景勝(米沢観光NAVI)Checked: 2026-10-03
6
城下町ふらり歴史探訪 75.長命寺本堂(米沢市)Checked: 2026-10-03