Suemori Castle Ruins Motoyama Nagoya

Suemori Castle Ruins, Motoyama, Nagoya 末森城跡

The ruins of Suemori Castle are now found inside Shiroyamahachimangu Shrine (城山八幡宮) close to Motoyama subway station in Nagoya. According to the noticeboard, the castle was built by Lord Oda Nobuhide (1508-1549) in 1548. His third son Nobuyuki became lord of the castle but was defeated by his elder brother Oda Nobunaga at the Battle of Inogahara. Nobunaga later took over Kiyosu Castle and arranged for the murder of his younger brother, Nobuyuki. Nobunaga had bigger fish to fry as he fought his way to become the most powerful warlord in Japan and this small, local castle was abandoned and quickly fell into ruin. The ruins of Suemori Castle that belonged to the Oda clan are now within Shiroyamahachimangu Shrine There is very little evidence of the former castle in the grounds of the shrine. It is fitting, perhaps, that the castle ruins are contained within a Hachiman shrine as Hachiman is the god of war. Shiroyamahachimangu Shrine is a popular shrine in the area and hosts a couple of lively festivals in the summer.

Access - Getting There

Shiroyamahachimangu Shrine is a short walk from Motoyama Station on the Meijo and Higashiyama lines of the Nagoya subway. Turn right out of Exit 1 of the station and then turn right again at the fifth turning. There is a road sign clearly pointing the way. Sign to Shiroyamahachimangu Shrine in the Motoyama district of Nagoya.

Nearby

The shrine is close to Aichi Gakuin Kusumoto Campus and also Jorakuji Temple. A short distance west is the pleasant Yoki-so Villa & Garden. The shrine and ruins are the first stop on a pleasant circular walk along Motoyama that also takes in Heiwa Koen.

Sign explaining the brief history of Suemori Castle

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