Site of Shakujii Castle

Nerima, Japan, Japan

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The Site of Shakujii Castle is the ruin of a medieval mountain-stronghold castle on a plateau between the Shakujii River and Sanpōji Pond in what is now Tokyo Metropolitan Shakujii Park in Nerima Ward, western Tokyo.

Built in the late Kamakura period (and possibly on older Heian-period foundations) by the local Toshima clan, who ruled the area from the early 14th century, the castle served as their main base for controlling the river valley and surrounding lands. In 1477, the castle was captured and destroyed by Ōta Dōkan, a warrior based in Edo (later Tokyo), during the Bunei-9 Battle; after this defeat the Toshima clan vanished from history, and the castle was abandoned.

Today almost nothing of the original wooden structures survives above ground, but low earthworks and a dry moat marking the inner bailey are still visible, and the site is designated as a Tokyo Metropolis cultural property, accessed through Shakujii Park—a spacious 20-hectare public park with two ponds, shrines, cherry trees, and excellent birdlife, making it a quiet urban spot to explore early Tokyo history alongside nature.