Yugi Castle Ruins: Historic Samurai Fortress Transformed into a Sacred Buddhist Temple in Tokyo

Yugi Castle Ruins - A Hidden Sengoku Era Fortress in Hachioji and Its History

Yugi Castle, once located in the Yugi district of Hachioji City, Tokyo, was a fortress believed to have been built during the Sengoku period. Today, its legacy lives on as Eirinji Temple. While Hachioji City is home to famous Sengoku-era castles like Takiyama Castle and Hachioji Castle, Yugi Castle, though less well-known, played a significant historical role. This article explores the history, features, and current state of Yugi Castle.

Business hours

Open 24 hours as part of Eirinji Temple grounds

Address

4 Shimoyugi, Hachioji City, Tokyo 192 - 0372

About Yugi Castle - A Sengoku Period Fortress

Yugi Castle is believed to have been built by the Oishi clan, who ruled the area during the Sengoku period. The Oishi clan served as retainers to the Hojo clan, and Yugi Castle likely served as one of their subsidiary fortresses. While detailed records of the castle’s construction date have been lost, it is certain that it functioned as a defensive stronghold during the Sengoku period.

The primary role of Yugi Castle was to defend the region extending from what is now southern Hachioji City to the Machida City area. Its location on the Tama Hills, offering panoramic views of the surroundings, made it ideal for monitoring enemy advances.

Features of Yugi Castle - The Castle’s Structure

While detailed documentation about Yugi Castle’s structure is limited, it is believed to have possessed characteristics typical of a mountain fortress. Here are some of its presumed features:

• Kuruwa (Baileys): The castle contained multiple bailey areas that served as living quarters for the lord and his retainers, as well as storage spaces for supplies.
• Earthworks and Moats: Defensive structures utilizing the natural terrain, including moats and earthen walls, were constructed to prevent enemy infiltration.
• Watchtowers: High points allowing surveillance of the castle’s surroundings made it easy to detect approaching enemies from afar.

Although smaller in scale compared to other castles in Hachioji City, its strategic importance is evident from its layout.

Oishi Sadahisa - The Lord of Yugi Castle

Oishi Sadahisa was the warrior lord who governed Yugi Castle during the Sengoku period and served the Hojo clan. As the ruler of the Yugi region, he dedicated himself to developing the agricultural villages and strengthening the castle’s defenses.

Sadahisa was the son of Oishi Sadashige, who built and became the first lord of Takiyama Castle.

During the unstable political climate of the Sengoku period, Sadahisa maintained close relations with the Hojo clan to protect Yugi Castle, utilizing it as a strategic base. Under his rule, Yugi Castle played a crucial role in the region’s defensive line, particularly during times of conflict.

After his death, Yugi Castle completed its historical mission, and during the Edo period, its legacy continued as Eirinji Temple. It was thanks to his presence that Yugi Castle survived the turbulent Sengoku period and its name remains to this day.

History of Yugi Castle - The Sengoku Era and Beyond

During the late Sengoku period, Yugi Castle was within the sphere of influence of the Hojo clan. However, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi conducted his Odawara Campaign in 1590, the Hojo clan fell, and Yugi Castle’s role came to an end. Subsequently, the castle was abandoned and later repurposed as a temple during the Edo period.

After the end of the Sengoku period, Eirinji Temple was established on the site of Yugi Castle. According to tradition, Eirinji was founded by the Oishi clan in 1538 (Tenmon 7) and continues to preserve the area’s history as a temple to this day.

Visiting the Yugi Castle Ruins

While there are few visible remains of the castle’s fortifications today, visitors can still sense its historical presence through Eirinji Temple.

The Yugi Castle ruins are located behind the cemetery of Eirinji Temple.

All that remains at the Yugi Castle ruins are a stone monument and a statue of Oishi Sadahisa.

Beyond this point, visitors can access the rear area, which features a small hill whose terrain and atmosphere evoke memories of the former watchtower.

How to Access Yugi Castle Ruins

The Yugi Castle ruins can be reached by bus from nearby stations.

Get off at the “Yugi Central Elementary School” bus stop on the Keio Bus line, and it’s a 2-3 minute walk to Eirinji Temple, where the Yugi Castle ruins are located.

Buses stopping at this station depart from:

• JR Hachioji Station South Exit: Bus #860 [Keio] bound for Minami-Osawa Station
• Keio Sagamihara Line Minami-Osawa Station: Bus #860 [Keio] bound for Hachioji Station South Exit

After getting off at the “Yugi Central Elementary School” bus stop, you’ll immediately see the Eirinji Temple stone monument. Continue straight ahead and turn left at the end to find the temple’s entrance, the Somon (Main Gate).

Enter through the Somon gate towards the Yugi Castle ruins. The imposing architecture of Eirinji Temple may make you wonder why such a magnificent temple stands quietly in this location.

This is the Sanmon gate. The Sanmon is an important gateway leading to the main hall, representing the three states of enlightenment in Buddhist teachings: “Emptiness,” “Formlessness,” and “Desirelessness.” It’s truly magnificent.

The Sanmon gate features two guardian Nio statues.

While the original purpose was to visit the Yugi Castle ruins, Eirinji Temple itself is quite impressive.

This is the Chujaku-mon gate. Built in 1587 when the temple received special recognition from the emperor, this elegant gate is also known as the Chokushi-mon (Imperial Messenger Gate).

Now we enter the temple grounds.

Eirinji Temple was built in 1532 on the site of Oishi Sadahisa’s castle and later developed into a major temple with support from Hojo Ujiteru. In 1587, it received imperial recognition as a prestigious temple, and in 1591, even Tokugawa Ieyasu visited for worship. The temple’s crest preserves the family crests of the Oishi, Hojo, Imperial, and Tokugawa families, carrying their historical legacy to the present day.

The main hall of the historic and prestigious Eirinji is equally impressive.

A three-story pagoda stands on the left side of the grounds.

The entrance to the Yugi Castle ruins is located in front of the main hall.

Exploring Sengoku Period Remnants in Tranquility

The entire region, including Hachioji City, was once under the control of the Hojo clan, and Yugi Castle had historical connections with Odawara Castle, Kawagoe Castle, Hachioji Castle, and Takiyama Castle.

Yugi Castle was built to protect the Hachioji area during the Sengoku period, and now its history continues through Eirinji Temple. Though modest in size, it represents an important castle for understanding the activities of the Oishi and Hojo clans during the Sengoku period.

Furthermore, Eirinji Temple itself is a historically significant and elegant temple, with its architectural features and surrounding tranquility creating a deeply solemn atmosphere. The journey to the temple grounds feels like stepping into a page of history, offering visitors a subtle sense of anticipation.

While Hachioji City has numerous castle ruins, the Yugi Castle site is a precious location that preserves quiet historical traces. It’s well worth a visit for those interested in history or the Sengoku period, and we hope this access information proves helpful for your visit.