Karasawasan Castle: A Historic Mountain Fortress

Karasawasan Castle, perched atop Mount Karasawa in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, offers a captivating blend of history and natural beauty. Originally built in the Heian period, around 927 AD, by Fujiwara no Hidesato, the castle served as a strategic stronghold throughout the Sengoku period. Today, visitors can explore the remains of this once-impregnable fortress, including its impressive stone walls, earthworks, and moats. The castle's history is marked by repeated conflicts, most notably the ten sieges by Uesugi Kenshin, a powerful warlord of the era. Despite these attacks, the castle earned a reputation as one of the most secure fortresses in the Kanto region. The Sano clan, who controlled the castle for generations, ultimately abandoned it in 1602 when the Edo shogunate deemed its presence too threatening. Today, Karasawasan Castle is a designated National Historic Site and a popular destination for hikers and history enthusiasts. The trails leading to the castle offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, especially during the cherry blossom season. At the summit, visitors can explore the castle ruins and visit Karasawayama Shrine, dedicated to Fujiwara no Hidesato. The site also offers panoramic views of the Kanto Plain, and on clear days, you can even spot the Tokyo Skytree in the distance.