Yuzuki Castle and the Kono Clan — A Medieval Castle Resting in Dogo Park

A Castle Without a Keep: Dogo Park

Right by Dogo Onsen, the small hill that is now the lush green Dogo Park was once the site of a medieval castle called Yuzuki Castle. Also known as Yuzuki Castle (written with alternative kanji), it was a flatland mountain castle without a keep, built in the teikaku style. Its moats and earthen ramparts are still well preserved today, and it has been designated a National Historic Site as well as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles. It is rare nationwide for such ruins of a medieval castle to remain in the center of a hot spring town.

The Stronghold of the Kono Clan Who Ruled Iyo

Yuzuki Castle is said to have been built around 1335 during the generation of Kono Michimori, the shugo (military governor) of Iyo Province. For about 250 years thereafter, it served as the stronghold for the Kono clan's rule over Iyo. The history of the hot springs of Dogo and the Kono clan who ruled this land are inextricably linked, and it is said that Isaniwa Shrine was moved from this hill to its current location in order to build Yuzuki Castle.

According to Matsuyama City's explanation, the Kono clan was a powerful local family that emerged from Kono Township in Kazahaya District of Iyo. They experienced repeated rises and falls: Kono Michinobu, who expanded their influence through ties with Minamoto no Yoritomo, fell from power in the Jokyu War (1221), and Kono Michiari, who distinguished himself in the Battle of Koan (1281), restored their influence. Around the time Michimori was appointed shugo of Iyo Province, the Kono clan reached its peak prosperity.

Reading the Castle's Structure on the Hill

According to the Edo-period "Yuzuki Old Castle Map," the castle had inner and outer moats, and features such as the "Hon-dan" at the top of the hill, the "Sugi-no-dan" to the north, the "Naka-dan" compound to the east, and residential spaces for vassals were established. During a walk, you can consider how the entire hill was configured and utilized as a castle, using the current park's undulations, moats, and earthen ramparts as clues.

The Fall and the End of the Castle

In 1585, toward the end of the Sengoku period, forces led by Kobayakawa Takakage and others invaded Iyo under the orders of Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, who aimed to unify Shikoku. The Kono clan at Yuzuki Castle surrendered after a siege of about one month, and in 1587 the castle's role came to an end. Later, excavation surveys revealed that building materials such as roof tiles from Yuzuki Castle were repurposed for the construction of Matsuyama Castle. Even though the castle disappeared, its stones and roof tiles were passed down to the new castle town.

The Middle Ages Revealed by Excavations

Excavation surveys conducted for 12 years starting in 1988 revealed archaeological remains of ditches and mud walls. Artifacts such as imported ceramics were also unearthed, making the Yuzuki Castle ruins an important site as medieval shugo castle ruins. Not only the moats and earthen ramparts remaining above ground, but also what was found underground conveys the era when this castle was the political center of Iyo.

A Park Where the Middle Ages Come Alive

In the current Dogo Park, there are reconstructed samurai residences, mud walls, and a yakuimon gate based on the results of the excavation surveys, and at the free Yuzuki Castle Museum, visitors can learn about the unearthed artifacts and the castle's history. The Yuzuki Castle Ruins became a National Historic Site on September 20, 2002; the location and administrator are listed as Ehime Prefecture (for Dogo Park) among others, and the contact point is the Yuzuki Castle Museum Management Office.

Since being developed as the prefectural Dogo Park in 1888, it has also been cherished as a famous spot for cherry blossoms and azaleas. Walking atop the earthen ramparts between visits to hot springs allows you to reflect on medieval Iyo.

By being mindful of the positional relationship among the Hon-dan on the hill, the Sugi-no-dan to the north, and the Naka-dan to the east, it becomes easier to interpret the castle divisions remaining within the current park. The reconstructed samurai residences, mud walls, and yakuimon gate can be viewed alongside the remains uncovered through archaeological excavations. Being able to trace the traces of the Kono clan's stronghold seamlessly with the park scenery near the Dogo hot spring town is the way to walk this castle site.

By being mindful of the positional relationship among the Hon-dan on the hill, the Sugi-no-dan to the north, and the Naka-dan to the east, it becomes easier to interpret the castle divisions remaining within the current park. The reconstructed samurai residences, mud walls, and yakuimon gate can be viewed alongside the remains uncovered through archaeological excavations. Being able to trace the traces of the Kono clan's stronghold seamlessly with the park scenery near the Dogo hot spring town is the way to walk this castle site.

By being mindful of the positional relationship among the Hon-dan on the hill, the Sugi-no-dan to the north, and the Naka-dan to the east, it becomes easier to interpret the castle divisions remaining within the current park. The reconstructed samurai residences, mud walls, and yakuimon gate can be viewed alongside the remains uncovered through archaeological excavations. Being able to trace the traces of the Kono clan's stronghold seamlessly with the park scenery near the Dogo hot spring town is the way to walk this castle site.

※ Museum opening hours and closing days are subject to change. Please check on-site and official information for the latest details.