KYOTO - While Kyoto is often crowded during sakura season, Katsuryuji Castle Park in Nagaokakyo offers a more tranquil alternative. As a cherished local spot, it allows visitors to appreciate the cherry blossoms at a relaxed pace.
The park preserves the quiet elegance of history, tied to 16th-century warlord Akechi Mitsuhide, and provides a rare chance to experience the beauty of spring in a calm, reflective setting—making it a recommended destination for those seeking serenity amid the seasonal bustle.
Akechi Mitsuhide (1528–1582) was a prominent samurai and general during Japan’s Sengoku period, best known for his betrayal of the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga in the infamous Incident at Honnō-ji.
Originally a retainer of the Saitō clan and later in the service of Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Mitsuhide joined Nobunaga's forces around the 1560s. Nobunaga was aggressively unifying Japan through military campaigns, and Mitsuhide proved himself a capable commander, gaining territories in the Tamba region (northwest of Kyoto) and playing a key role in various battles.
However, tensions grew between the two. Nobunaga was known for his harsh treatment of both enemies and allies, and Mitsuhide may have felt disrespected, especially after Nobunaga allegedly insulted him publicly and took lands he had conquered. There’s also speculation that political ambition or a desire for revenge after Nobunaga’s mistreatment of Mitsuhide’s mother played a role.
On June 21, 1582, Mitsuhide turned against Nobunaga and launched a surprise attack while he was resting at Honnō-ji Temple in Kyoto. Nobunaga, caught off guard, took his own life in what became a pivotal moment in Japanese history.
Mitsuhide briefly claimed power, but his rule lasted only 13 days. He was defeated at the Battle of Yamazaki by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, another of Nobunaga’s generals, who quickly returned from a campaign to avenge Nobunaga’s death. Mitsuhide was killed shortly after—either in battle or while fleeing by local bandits.
Katsuryuji Castle, also known as Shoryuji Castle, is a small but historically significant fortress located in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto Prefecture. Originally built in 1339 by Hosokawa Yoriharu, a key figure in the powerful Hosokawa clan, the castle was strategically positioned along routes connecting Kyoto to western Japan. Its location gave it military importance, especially during times of regional conflict when control over access to the capital was crucial.
In the late 16th century, the castle became closely associated with Akechi Mitsuhide, a prominent samurai general under Oda Nobunaga. After being entrusted with pacifying the Tamba region, Mitsuhide took over Katsuryuji Castle and turned it into his base of operations. He expanded and fortified the castle, using it not just as a residence but as a staging ground for military campaigns. Most notably, it was from Katsuryuji Castle that Mitsuhide launched his infamous betrayal of Nobunaga in 1582. Departing from this very site, he marched on Kyoto and attacked Nobunaga at Honnō-ji Temple, triggering one of the most dramatic turning points in Japanese history.
Following Mitsuhide’s brief seizure of power and subsequent defeat by Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki, the castle lost its strategic value and was eventually abandoned. As the country moved toward unification and peace, many regional fortresses like Katsuryuji were dismantled or fell into disrepair.
Today, the site of the former castle is preserved as Shoryuji Castle Park. While no original buildings remain, the park features reconstructed gates, moats, and walking paths that evoke the castle’s feudal past. It has become a peaceful retreat for local residents, especially during cherry blossom season, when the grounds are filled with blooming sakura trees.
Source: TBS
