Ruins of Kokokuji Castle

Ruins of Kokokuji Castle

The ruins of Kokokuji Castle are located in Numazu City, the east part of Shizuoka Prefecture. It is said that HOJYO Soun (1456? - 1519) became the first castle lord of Kokokuji Castle in 1487.

After Onin War occurred in 1467, the Muramachi Bakufu, the feudal government in the Muromachi Age (1336 - 1573) headed by the Ashikaga Clan, became weak and lost their power to govern Japan. In the middle of the fifteenth century, Japan was in a state of turbulence. Especially in rural areas far from Kyoto, those who had military power governed the territories where they invaded.

HOJYO Soun was one of the typical examples who went straight to the feudal lord. He originally named ISE Moritoki and served for the Muromachi Bakufu. IMAGAWA Ujichika (1473 - 1526) , the ninth head of the IMAGAWA Clan and the father of IMAGAWA Yoshimoto (1519 - 1560) , was a Nephew of HOJYO Soun.

IMAGAWA Ujichika built Rinzaiji Temple in Shizuoka for IMAGAWA Yoshimoto.
Please refer the page of Rinzaiji Temple:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/RinzaijiTemple_E.html

In 1493, HOJYO Soun attached Horikoshi-Gosho, which was the government office of the Muromachi Bakufu, located in Nirayama, and killed ASHIKAGA Chachamaru (1469 - 1498) , who was a brother of ASHIKAGA Yoshizumi (1481 - 1511) , the eleventh Shogun of the Muromachi Bakufu. HOJYO Soun expand his territory to Izu Peninsula and Odawara Area.

Please refer the page of Nirayama Castle:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/NirayamaCastle_E.html

Kokokuji Castle was located at the edge of the bases of Mt. Ashitaka. A small shrine is located in a small pond. The pond seems the outer moat of Kokokuji Castle.

The third bailey is located to the north of the small pond.

The third bailey was under excavational investigations. Stones in the third bailey seems used for stone walls to protect the castle. To the north from the third Bailey, the ruins of the main castle baileys are located.

The below picture shows the view of the main bailey from the second bailey.

Kokokuji Castle was abandoned in 1607 at the beginning of the Edo Age (1603 - 1868) . Four hundred years have passed after Kokokuji Castle was abandoned. No castle building was left.

The foundation of the main castle tower is located on the earthen wall, behind the main bailey. The foundation on the earthen wall is partially covered by stones.

You will look down on the main bailey and also you will see Suruga Bay beyond the main bailey.

In the middle age, the wetland spread between Suruga Bay and Kokokuji Castle. The wetland prevented the enemies from approaching to Kokokuji Castle.

Behind the main bailey, a deep V-shaped moat is located. The moat also prevented the enemies.

If you cross the moat, the north bailey is located to the north of the main bailey. Only plain land is pervasive. The level of the north bailey is the same as the earthen wall of the main bailey.

At the north end of Kokokuji Castle, the Tokaido Shinkansen runs.

Please refer the page of the Tokaido Shinkansen:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/RidingTrains/Shinkansen.html#Tokaido

The ruins of Kokokuji Castle remain the same after it was abandoned in 1607. But, now time flies fast. The photo was taken ten years ago, but the train set shown in the above picture became already out of service. Now, new model of the train sets run on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

How to get there
From Tokyo, you will take a "Kodama" to Mishima on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Change to a local train on the Tokaido Main Line to Hara. Take a community bus to "Nekoya" bus Stop. Or, it will take approximately thirty-five minutes on foot.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Atami
Mishima Shrine
Ruins of Nirayama Castle
Ruins of HOJYO Clan
Rinzaiji Temple in Shizuoka