Gifu Castle

Gifu Castle (岐阜城, Gifu-jō) is a castle located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Along with Mount Kinka and the Nagara River, it is one of the main symbols of the city.

History

Gifu Castle was first built by the Nikaidō clan between 1201 and 1204 during the Kamakura Period.^[1][2] Originally called Inabayama Castle (稲葉山城 Inabayama-jō), Gifu Castle has gone through a great number of repairs over the course of several generations. Even though it was famous as a physically powerful castle, it was once taken over by a mere sixteen men.

During the Sengoku period a samurai by the name of Takenaka Hanbei went to the castle, ostensibly to visit his sick brother. In reality, he went to the castle not to visit his brother but to kill Saitō Tatsuoki, the lord of castle. When Hanbei struck at him, Tatsuoki was very confused—believing an enemy army had come to attack him—and fled. Thus, Hanbei obtained Inabayama Castle with relative ease. Later, Hanbei returned the castle to his lord, but Tatsuoki had lost an immeasurable amount of reputation and honor due to his perceived cowardly flight from the castle.

In 1567, Oda Nobunaga launched an attack on Mino Province from Sunomata Castle, led his forces across the Kiso River, and marched straight to the castle town of Inoguchi (now Gifu city) attracting the support of many Sato retainers along the way. Nobunaga laid siege to Inabayama Castle on 13 September. Even though the defenders were demoralized to see the banners of Saito retainers among the attacking army, the mountaintop castle was still in a nearly impregnable position. The siege took about two weeks. Near the end of the siege, Nobunaga's retainer Kinoshita Tōkichirō led a small party up the steep cliffs of Mount Kinka, entered the castle from the unguarded rear, and opened the front gates, allowing the attacking forces to enter. After Tatsuoki was defeated, Nobunaga claimed the castle and made it his primary base-of-operations.

Nobunaga renamed the stronghold "Gifu Castle,"^[2] following an example set by an ancient Chinese practice. Nobunaga then proceeded to renovate the castle into a far more impressive and grandiose structure than its previous incarnation. Luis Frois, a renowned Jesuit Missionary from Portugal, was personally invited by Nobunaga to visit the castle. After a short stay in Gifu, Frois praised the castle's extraordinary beauty.

The Battle of Gifu Castle in 1600 served as a prelude to both the Battle of Sekigahara and the destruction of Gifu Castle in the same year. After the demolition of the castle, part of the structure was brought to Kanō Castle to the south to fortify its position.^[1]

Present day

Mount Kinka

The current version of Gifu Castle is a cement structure that was built in the 1950s, as the previous castle had been destroyed by the firebombings of the surrounding city during World War II.^[2] Inside the castle, there are three floors with exhibits representing the castle's past.^[2] With maps, weapons, pictures and other artifacts on display, visitors can recreate the story of Gifu Castle. On the top floor of the castle, an observation deck,^[2] visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the Nagara River and Nagoya. At various points throughout the year, the castle is also open to night viewing, providing an awe-inspiring view of the city.^[3] The newly opened Gifu City Tower 43 also provides panoramic views of the city and is open late year-round; however, its views are limited to only a few compass directions.

A short walk from the castle is a small archives museum, containing more artifacts from Gifu Castle. Also in this museum are pictures from major castles throughout Japan. Entry into this museum is included in the price to visit Gifu Castle, making it a worthwhile stop for visitors to Gifu Castle. Lights, walkways and signs that were added during 2005's beautification campaign make visiting the castle even more convenient and informative.^[4]

Gifu Castle Archives Museum

When visitors pay the entrance fee to Gifu Castle, they also receive entrance to the Gifu Castle Archives Museum, located approximately 70 m (230 ft) from the entrance to Gifu Castle. Inside the museum, visitors will find more archives related to Gifu Castle and its past residents. The second floor focuses on musical instruments from Japan's past and present. Additionally, there are pictures of castles throughout Japan adorning the walls of the museum.

Castle operating hours

View from the top of Gifu Castle

• Normal Hours

March 16–May 11: 9:30am to 5:30pm

May 12–October 16: 8:30am to 5:30pm

October 17–March 15: 9:30am to 4:30pm

• Night Viewing

April 28–May 6: until 9:30pm

July 14–August 31: until 10:00pm

September 1–October 14: until 9:30pm (Sat., Sun., and holidays only)

October 15–November 30: until 6:30pm

Access

Mount Kinka Ropeway

Mount Kinka offers hiking trails of varying difficulty to Gifu Castle and take approximately one hour.^[5] Visitors can also take the Mt. Kinka Ropeway that originates in Gifu Park to the mountain's summit, from which Gifu Castle is just a short walk away.^[6]

To get to Gifu Park, you can board buses operated by Gifu Bus at either JR Gifu Station (Bus Platform 11 or 12) or Meitetsu Gifu Station (Bus Platform 4). The bus takes approximately 15 minutes to get to the bus stop for Gifu Park and the Museum of History (Gifu Kōen, Rekishi Hakubutsukan-mae).^[7]

References

Literature

• Schmorleitz, Morton S. (1974). Castles in Japan. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co. p. 117. ISBN 0-8048-1102-4. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gifu Castle.

• Gifu Castle Homepage (Japanese)
• Gifu Castle (moving image)