Oda Nobunaga's Attack on Asakura - The Story of 10 Days that Determined Nobunaga's Fate
The story takes place during the retreat from Kanegasaki, Oda Nobunaga's greatest crisis. The battle against the Asakura clan, with whom he was in conflict, unfolds between April 20th and April 30th, 1570, a mere 10 days in which dramatic events that would determine Nobunaga's fate will unfold.
On April 20, 1570 (Eiroku 13), Nobunaga departed Kyoto to attack the Asakura clan of Echizen, with whom he had a rivalry. Leading an army of 30,000 men, he passed through Sakamoto and set up camp in Wani (Otsu City). On the 21st, he stayed at Tanaka Castle (Takashima City), and on the 22nd, he stayed at the residence of Matsumiya Genba in Kumagawa (Wakasa Town). The following day, the 23rd (Tensho 1), he stayed at Awaya Etchu Castle in Sagaki (Mihama Town), preparing to march on Tsuruga, the Asakura clan's front-line base. On April 25th, he marched to Tsuruga and captured Tezuyama Castle, and the following day, the 26th, he captured Kanegasaki Castle. Just as he was about to advance his army towards the Asakura clan's stronghold, his brother-in-law, Asai Nagamasa, defected, causing Nobunaga to decide to retreat.
According to the "Hasegawa Family Ancestor Records," Nobunaga arrived in Hosaka, Imazu town on the 28th, and headed south along the Kutsuki Road. At this time, Kutsuki Mototsuna, the lord of Kutsuki, welcomed Nobunaga and entertained him at Enmando, a restaurant located in Shimoichi, Kutsuki Market. The person in charge of entertaining him was Hasegawa Sobei Shigemoto, who served tea and sweets, and in return, Oda Nobunaga is said to have given him a deerskin hakama (trousers) and silver chopsticks. After resting in Kutsuki, Oda Nobunaga safely arrived in Kyoto the following day, the 29th, passing through Kuzukawa. This event is also known as "Nobunaga's Crossing of Kutsuki."
A dramatic and epic story that unfolded in just 10 days. By tracing the footsteps of this tale through "The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga" and "The Ancestor Records of the Hasegawa Family," why not embark on a journey to experience the Sengoku period that determined Nobunaga's fate?
Model Course Overview
Day 1
From Kyoto Higashi IC
Approx. 50 hours
Tanaka Castle
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 90 hours
This castle is believed to have been the residence of the Sasaki Tanaka clan. From the main enclosure, located at an altitude of approximately 221m, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the plains formed by the Azumigawa and Kamogawa rivers, as well as Lake Biwa. It is presumed to be the "Tanaka Castle" mentioned in the "Shinchō Kōki" (Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga). It is said that they stayed there during the attack on the Asakura clan in 1570. After the retreat from Kanegasaki, they are said to have sided with the Asai and Asakura clans, and in 1572, Nobunaga marched to Shiga and drove the Asai and Asakura forces into Kido and Tanaka Castles. It is recorded that Tanaka Castle was attacked in 1573.
After that, Akechi Mitsuhide came to rule the castle. There are various theories, but the Yoneda Documents state that a young Akechi Mitsuhide was besieged in the castle in 1566 (Eiroku 9), which suggests that there was a deep relationship between the two.
- Address Tanaka, Azumigawa-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture
- Phone Number 0740-33-7101 (Biwako Takashima Tourism Association)
Approx. 40 hours
Kumagawa Castle
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 40 hours
Kumakawa Castle is located near the border between Omi and Wakasa provinces, at an altitude of approximately 185 meters, offering a commanding view of the Kurihan Kaido (Wakasa Kaido and Saba Kaido) roads. It is believed to have been built by the Numata clan. The lord of Kumakawa Castle, Numata Mitsukane's daughter, Jokko, was married to Hosokawa Fujitaka, and the castle had strong ties with the Hosokawa clan. However, the Numata clan is said to have retreated to Omi Province after being attacked by Matsumiya Genba in 1569. From then on, they became vassals of Hosokawa Fujitaka. Regarding Oda Nobunaga's attack on Asakura, the "Nobunaga-kōki" records that "on the 22nd, he camped in Kumagawa, Wakashu, at Matsumiya Genba's place."
- Address Kumagawa, Wakasa-cho, Mikata-Kaminaka-gun, Fukui Prefecture
- Phone Number
Approx. 30 hours
Sakaki Kuniyoshi Castle
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 40 hours
Kuniyoshi Castle was a mountain castle that protected the border between Wakasa Province and Echizen Province (Tsuruga). Located at an altitude of approximately 200 meters, it is said to have been constructed in 1556 (the second year of the Koji era) by Awaya Etchu no Kami Katsuhisa, a senior vassal of the Takeda clan, the guardian daimyo of Wakasa Province. After fending off an invasion by the Asakura clan in 1563 (the sixth year of the Eiroku era), Kuniyoshi Castle repelled invading Asakura forces almost every year until the Asakura clan's demise in 1573 (the first year of the Tensho era), and is said to have been an impregnable castle that never fell. The "Chronicle of Nobunaga" records that "On the 23rd, Nobunaga arrived at Awaya Etchu in Sakaki and set up camp. He stayed the next day."
- Address Mihama Town, Mikata District, Fukui Prefecture
- Phone Number
Approx. 20 hours
Kanegasaki Castle Ruins and Kanegasaki Shrine
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 30 hours
Kanegasaki Castle was built on a ridge extending northwest from Mt. Tentsutsu, about 90 meters above sea level. It was considered a frontline base for the Asakura clan and was defended by the county governor, Asakura Kagetsune. Oda Nobunaga captured Tentsutsuyama Castle on April 25th, and Kanegasaki Castle the following day, the 26th.
- Address Kanagasakicho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture
- Phone Number
Approx. 6 hours
Tentsutsuyama Castle
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 60 hours
Tentsuyama Castle is a mountain castle built on Mt. Tentsuyama, located south of Kanegasaki Castle, and played an important role as a subsidiary castle of Kanegasaki Castle. The castle is considered to be more robust than Kanegasaki Castle, and it is believed that it was able to fulfill its original defensive functions when combined with Kanegasaki Castle. At an elevation of approximately 170m, it offers panoramic views of Tsuruga Bay, the old Hokuriku Road, and Kanegasaki Castle.
- Address Izumi, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture
- Phone Number
To accommodation in Takashima City
Day 2
Takashima City Accommodation
Hosaka stone signpost
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 40 hours
At the retreat entrance to Kanegasaki is a fork in the road to the Wakasa Kaido, which is thought to have been the route Oda Nobunaga took during his retreat. There is a signpost erected at the site in 1775. This signpost reads "Right: Kyoto Road" and "Left: Shiyunrei Road, Imazu Kaido." From here, heading right leads to Kutsuki, and heading left leads to Imazu. Oda Nobunaga took the right route and headed for Kutsuki, and this is thought to have been a turning point that would determine his fate.
- Address Hosaka, Imazucho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture
- Phone Number
Approx. 10 hours
Market streetscape
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 50 hours
The remains of Enmando Hall, located along the old Kutsuki road, is where Kutsuki Mototsuna entertained Oda Nobunaga as he retreated through Kutsuki Pass, and Oda Nobunaga rested here. The Hasegawa Family Ancestors' Book records that on that occasion, Hasegawa Sobei Shigemoto, who was in charge of entertaining Nobunaga, received a deerskin hakama (trousers) and silver chopsticks from Nobunaga.
- Address Kutsuki Market, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture
- Phone Number 0740-33-7101 (Biwako Takashima Tourism Association)
Approx. 3 hours
Roadside Station Kutsuki Shinhonjin
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Acitivity TimeApprox. 50 hours
This roadside station, which was once the lord of the Kutsuki clan's camp, has been restored to a modern style and is stocked with many of Kutsuki's local products. Try the local specialty, mackerel sushi, and other treats as you travel. A morning market is held on Sundays.
- Address Kutsuki Market, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture
- Phone Number 0740-38-2398
Approx. 60 hours
