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Sengoku fans don’t miss it! A journey to the historical sites of Eastern Japan, following the tracks of pop warriors of the Sengoku period; Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin, Date Masamune.

July 27, 2023 12:00 PM update

written by Haruka Kuriyama,mapping by Miwako Kobayashi

It is not an exaggeration to say that the Sengoku period is one of the most popular eras in Japanese history, with a huge number of fans. For history enthusiasts who want to experience not only the facts of the battles but also the stories about  the warriors, pilgrimage to historic sites could be led to their "travel." This article will introduce to a courses that visits battlefields of the Sengoku era and places where warriors grew up . Let's visit the many remaining historical sites and remenber of the warriors who moved the times.

From Nagano Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takasaki Station, then transfer to the Joetsu Shinkansen and head to Shiozawa Station on the local line. Return to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Omiya Station, and then transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen to Oyama Station. To get to Sendai Station, which is the final destination, take the same route on the Tohoku Shinkansen. It is also possible to take a high-speed bus or a car from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Sendai Station, which would be a good option depending on your schedule.

"Kawanakajima Kosenjo(Kawanakajima Old Battlefield)" in Nagano city Famous place for the battles between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin

The area around Nagano city has experienced intermittent warfare since ancient times. In a time of war and turmoil, powerful neighboring families were divided into two factions fighting near Wasato (Ichimura) in response to Kiso Yoshinaka's flag-raisng in the Ichihara Battle, a prelude to the Genpei War, as well as the Yokota-gawara Battle, in which Kiso Yoshinaka repulsed Jo clan, who led a large army from Echigo to suppress his flag-raising at Shinonoi-Yokota.
In the Sengoku period, the Battle of Kawanakajima took place there, where Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin fought five time in twelve years. Due to the effects of the Tenbun-Jingo (a war caused by the collapse of the Oda clan, who had defeated the Takeda clan), the rulers of the four counties of Kawanakajima rapidly changed, and the city area and neighborhood went to ruins. Kawanakajima Kosenjo(Kawanakajima Old Battlefield) was established at this ancient site, and you can find a statue of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin engaged in a one-on-one battle (pictured) there.

Recommended sight seeing spot

Kawanakajima Kosenjo(Kawanakajima Old Battlefield

　The "Battle of Kawanakajima" is the name given to a legendary series of five battles that occurred between 1553 (Tenbun 22) and 1564 (Eiroku 7). Takeda Shingen from Kai, who was an archenemy of Uesugi Kenshin from Echigo, fought over control of northern Shinano as Kawanakajima which connected Echigo and Shinano through the confluence of two rivers, Sai and Chikuma. Kawanakajima was a strategic location for transportation and also a fertile and rich land. Despite the long duration of the conflict, the historical fact says the outcome of the battle is undecided. The fourth battle of 1561 (Eiroku 4) is well known and due to the location of the battle, it is commonly referred to as the "Battle of Kawanakajima" along with other battles that took place in different locations. At the Kawanakajima Kosenjo(Kawanakajima Old Battlefield), there is a monument called the "Mita-chi Nana-tachi" (Three Strikes and Seven Strikes). This was erected to commemorate the legendary one-on-one duel between Shingen and Kenshin, which was named after the historical events whenKenshin attacked Shingen three times and left seven scars on Shingen’s fan “Gunbai-uchiwa”. You can also see the "Shunen-no-ishi (The Rock of regret) "(pictured) and the "Sakasa-enju (Upside-down Tree) " that has grown into a massive tree after 400 years. Access to the park is approximately a 5-minute drive from the Nagano Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway or a 20-minute ride on the Alpico Kotsu Bus, which departs from Bus Stop No. 3 at Nagano Station (Zenkoji exit) and travels Matsushiro via the Kosenjo route to Kawanakajima Kosenjo stop.

DATA

Address: 1384-1 Oshimada-machi, Nagano-shi,Nagano

"Untoan Temple" The Soto sect Zen temple in Minamiuonuma city A temple you can track the Zen master of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, the 10th generation of Untoan; Hokko Zenshuku

Minamiuonuma city is famous as the birthplace of Naoe Kanetsugu, the warrior active during the Sengoku to Edo periods. Despite being a heavy snowfall area, it is also a town where many historical sites remain. Popular spots include "Naoe Kanetsugu Koden Seikan" where you can see a copy of his letter "Naoe-Jo" sent to Saisho Jotai, who was negotiating with the Uesugi family at the behest of Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1600 (Keicho 5). The “Sakato Castle Ruins” associated with Uesugi Kenshin are also popular. In particular, the Soto sect Zen temple "Untoan Temple"(pictured), where the 10th generation of the top monk, Hokko Zenshuku were. Hokko Zenshuku was a Zen master of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen ;Uesugi Kagekatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu also studied under him. This historical temple had a significant impact on the "Battle of Kawanakajima.

Recommended sight seeing spot

Untoan Temple

　1300 years ago, the mother of Fujiwarano Fusasaki, the grandson of Fujiwara no Kamatari who is famous for his role in the Taika Reforms and a close aide to the emperor at the time, used the water from a spring that gushed forth from this land to help many people. "Untoan Temple" was originally founded by Fusasaki in 717 (the first year of the Yoro era) to mourn the soul of his mother, and it enshrined Yakushi Nyorai (the Healing Buddha) as the principal object. During the Eikyo era in the Muromachi period, Untoan was revived as a Zen temple by Uesugi Norizane, who oversaw the Kanto region as a deputy to the shogun, and later became a large temple with 27 branch temples, counting as one of the "Echigo Shikano Dojo". Hokko Zenshuku, the 10th-generation master of Untoan, advised both warlords to choose the battlefield of Kawanakajima and to send salt to the Takeda side to prevent the suffering of the people in the war. The main hall (the photo shows the inner sanctum) was rebuilt in the Edo period by a group of carpenters led by Koguro Jinnai of Izumozaki City, Niigata Prefecture. The main hall, with a width of 14 bays and a depth of 10 and a half bays, is considered one of the best examples of modern temple architecture and has been designated as a cultural property of Niigata Prefecture. Access is about 15 minutes by car from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC or Mukaimachi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway, or about 10 minutes by car from Shiozawa Station or Mukaimachi Station.

DATA

Address: 660 Unto, Minamiuonuma-shi, Niigata

"Oyama Council Site" in Oyama City The crucial military council ensured the way for the Tokugawa shogunate's 300 years of stability.

Oyama City has a long history that dates back to the late Heian period when a clan of Fujiwara Hidesato suppressed the rebellion of Taira no Masakado, settled in the area and adopted the name "Oyama". In the medieval period, the Oyama clan's territory expanded, and they gained significant influence. However, in 1380, they came into conflict with another clan, the Utsunomiya, which led to a state of warfare with a head warrior of the Kamakura Shogunate, Ujimitsu Ashikaga, ultimately resulting in the Oyama clan's destruction.　Afterward, the Yuki clan took over the name of Oyama and ruled the area around Oyama City until the Sengoku period. In the late Sengoku period, they became under the control of the Hojo clan. Later, with the downfall of the Hojo clan due to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's the Siege of Odawara, the Oyama clan had their territory confiscated and lost their positions. 
On July 24, 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu set up his main camp in Oyama, Shimotsuke Province while en route to Aizu (Fukushima Prefecture) to suppress Uesugi Kagekatsu. At that time, news of the uprising led by Ishida Mitsunari reached him. On the following day, July 25, Ieyasu hastily summoned the Shoguns to the main camp to hold a military council and discuss whether they should proceed with their planned attack on Uesugi Kagekatsu or go west to fight Ishida Mitsunari. This military council, known as the "Oyama Council," was held at the Oyama Council Site (pictured).

Recommended sight seeing spot

Oyama Council Site

　At the Battle of Sekigahara in Mino Province, Gifu Prefecture, a major and decisive conflict took place between massive armies of 200,000 soldiers from both the East and West. Ultimately, the Eastern army, led by Ieyasu Tokugawa, emerged victorious in this battle that would determine the fate of Japan. It is said that the direct cause of the victory in the Battle of Sekigahara was the last-minute defection of the Western army's Hideaki Kobayakawa and others to the side of Ieyasu Tokugawa. However, while the Western army was already disunited from the beginning, the Eastern army remained firmly united. Their cohesion was attributed to the "Oyama Council," which is considered one of the most important military councils in history. The “Oyama Council Site" is located within the premises of the Oyama City Hall. It is said that there used to be a resting and lodging place called "Oyama Goten" that was built for the Tokugawa shogunate during their visits to Nikko Shrine. Today, the site has become a gathering place for the community known as "Oyama Goten Square"(pictured). You can go there about a 10-minute walk westward from the west exit of Oyama Station along Gionjo Street.

DATA

Address: 1 Chome Shiroyamacho, Oyama-shi, Tochigi

"Zuihoden Mausoleum" in Sendai City The Mausoleum where Date Masamune rest, the founder of Sendai Domain

Date Masamune is well known for his political and military achievements as a Daimyo of the Sengoku period. He joined forces with the victorious Tokugawa army in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600(Keicho 5). The following year, he began construction of the castle in Mount Aoba (Aoba-ku, Sendai) and established the Sendai Domain. He also developed the castle town and laid the foundation for Sendai, which would become the largest city in the Tohoku region. The size of the Sendai Domain was expressed in "koku", a unit of measurement for land based on the amount of rice produced, and was 620,000 koku. This was the third largest domain in the country, right behind the Maeda family of Kaga (present-day Ishikawa and Toyama Prefecture) known for their "Kaga one million koku," and the Shimazu family of Satsuma (present-day Kagoshima Prefecture) with approximately 730,000 koku. "Zuihoden Mausoleum" (pictured) is the mausoleum of the three feudal lords of the Date family, including Date Masamune, who was famous throughout Japan for his eccentric strategies and numerous military exploits, as well as for his reputation as a cultural figure with a great knowledge of cooking and waka poetry.There are also many other places in Sendai City that have a connection to the Date family, including the Sendai City Museum, which displays cultural assets donated by the Date family, and the ruins of Sendai Castle, which was the stronghold of the Date family.

Recommended sight seeing spot

Zuihoden Mausoleum

　The Zuihoden mausoleum of Date Masamune was built in 1637 (Kanei 14) and is a magnificent example of a luxurious mausoleum built in the style of the Momoyama period. eing designated as a national treasure in 1931 (Showa 6) did not prevent it from being destroyed by war damage. The current building was reconstructed in 1979 (Showa 54). On the premises, in addition to the second and third-generation mausoleums, there is a museum exhibiting excavation materials. Every year in October, you can experience a special exhibition of Masamune's statue (pictured) called the "Autumn Zuihoden Special Exhibition," and events are held throughout the four seasons, including autumn leaves viewing and illuminations, so be sure to check it out. Access is about 15 minutes by car from the Miyagi IC on the Tohoku Expressway, about 10 minutes by taxi from Sendai Station, or about a 7-minute walk from the Loople Bus at JR Sendai Station West Exit Bus Terminal No.16, getting off at "Zuihoden Mae" (about 15 minutes by bus).

DATA

Address: 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi Miyagi
WEB：Zuihoden Mausoleum

A romantic journey to where history was made

The Sengoku Period was 400 to 500 years ago. It is fascinating to explore history through remaining documents and artifacts. Other option, by actually visiting these places, you may feel “the lingering flavor of history" that still remains. We highly recommend immersing yourself in the romantic history of the era and enjoying a journey through time.

• All prices in the article include tax. Prices are subject to change without notice.