DISCOVER FUKUI

Mount Somayama, standing at 492 meters above sea level, was once called the Hiei of the North. During the Nanbokucho period, it became a stronghold for the Southern Court and was the site of many wars. Overlooking the Hokuriku Expressway, the castle grounds served as the residence of the Uryū clan from the late Kamakura period. After the death of Uryū Tamotsu, a loyal retainer of the Southern Court, Nitta Yoshisada took refuge here. The surrounding area is dotted with sites evoking the era, such as Kitsukake Rock, Himeana Cave, and Ton-ike Pond. Today, well-maintained hiking trails blend seamlessly with nature, making it an ideal spot for exploring historical traces while strolling.

Overview of Somayama Castle

Soma Castle is located at the southern tip of the Minamietsu Basin, where the mountains of the Nanjō Range press into the narrow valley of the Hino River, making it a key transportation point along the Hokurikudō road. Somayama stands east of the Hino River, flanked by the Akuwa Valley and the Takara Valley. Its quartzite cliffs form a formidable natural fortress. A mountain castle existed atop Somayama, centered around the "Honmaru" (main keep) at an elevation of 492 meters, with baileys called the "East Palace" and "West Palace" extending east and west.
At the foot of the mountain, the lord's residence is believed to have stood, and the "Residence Site" remains, featuring earthen ramparts (Ichinojōdo) and foundation stone building traces.
Somayama Castle, encompassing the castle mountain with its fortress and part of the foothill castle town (approximately 170 hectares), was designated a National Historic Site in 1934 (Showa 9) and 1979 (Showa 54).

History of Somayama Castle

Somasan Castle is a mountain castle situated within the medieval manor of "Somasan-shō." The name "Somasan-shō" appears in ancient documents from the Kamakura period. It was originally a domain of Shichijō-in, the biological mother of Emperor Go-Toba. In August 1228 (Antei 2), it was transferred to Shūmyōmon-in, a lady-in-waiting of the retired emperor, and later passed to the Daikakuji branch of the imperial family. Throughout the medieval period, this Somayama Manor was managed as a court noble's manor by individuals connected to the imperial court.
The mountain castle is said to have been built in the late Kamakura period by Hiraku Uryū, father of Uryū Yasusada, who moved here from Uryū Village in Mishima District, Echigo Province. Since then, it served as a gateway to Echizen alongside other castles such as Kanegasaki, Hachibuse, Kinome Pass, and Hiuchi.
In 1336 (Enbun 1), when Nitta Yoshisada brought the two imperial princes, Tsunayoshi and Tsunenaga, into Kanegasaki Castle, the Uryū clan supported Kanegasaki Castle. According to the Taiheiki, on the 11th day of the first month of 1337 (Enbun 2), Uryū Yasusada, who had marched out to rescue Kanegasaki Castle, is said to have been killed in battle near Kashimaguri in Tsuruga City. The 'Tokue Yorimoto Gunchūjō' records that Somayama Castle fell on the night of June 25, 1341 (Kōei 1). Afterwards, Ashikaga (Shiba) Takatsune garrisoned the castle, but he died of illness there in July 1367 (Jōji 6). Subsequently, the Kai clan, retainers of the Spā clan who had served as deputy governors of Echizen Province, took up residence and confronted the Asakura clan. However, they were defeated at the Battle of Hinokawa in the first month of 1474 (Bunmei 6) and the castle fell. During the Asakura clan's era, their retainer, Kawai Aki no Kami Muneyoshi, resided in the castle. However, in 1573 (Tenshō 1), the castle was abandoned due to Oda Nobunaga's invasion of the Hokuriku region. Subsequently, in 1574 (Tenshō 2), it is said that the Ikkō Ikki (Purple Robe Rebellion) took up residence at Somayama, though details remain unclear.

Mountain Castle

Excavation and restoration work on the mountain castle section was conducted from 1970 to 1975. Today, visitors can see restored foundation stones and building sites.

Honmaru

Located atop the 492-meter peak. It offered a panoramic view of the castle town below and allowed observation of enemies advancing over Kinome Pass, making it a crucial strategic point as the gateway to Echizen.

East Palace

This irregularly shaped flat area, approximately 600 square meters long and narrow from north to south, retains the remains of foundation stone buildings.

West Palace & Palace Pond

The western ridge of the main keep, known as the "West Palace," features 17 flat areas of varying sizes. Some of these flat areas have foundation stones, suggesting buildings may have once stood there. The West Palace also contained a pond called "Palace Pond," which served as a water source. 

Princess Cave

This is said to be the place where Nio-no-Uchitachi, wife of Nitta Yoshisada, temporarily hid. Kitsukake Rock Legend has it that upon hearing of Uryū Yasushi's death in battle, his wife and female attendants hung their kimono robes on this sheer cliff rock and leaped to their deaths. 

Inu Modori Komagawashi

This name is said to derive from the steep, impassable cliff face where even dogs and horses that had climbed this far could not ascend further and were forced to turn back.