SilkCode LibraryCastles of Japan
No. 049KinkiShiga

Odani Castle

小谷城

Ruins & historic sites

The Azai family held this ridge-top castle for three generations. Stonework and terraces among the trees preserve the layout even though its buildings have gone.

Remains of stonework among trees at Odani Castle
Remains of stonework among trees at Odani CastlePhoto: shikabane taro · CC BY 3.0 · Resized and converted to WebP. Cards crop the display.This photograph shows the site at the time it was taken. Check the notes and official sources for current restoration work and access.

Get to know the castle

Castle at a glance

Site & layout
Mountain castle
Origins
Around 1525
Builders & patrons
Azai Sukemasa and the Azai family
Other names
Odani Castle ruins
What remains today
Enclosures, walls, ditches and building foundations

THE STORY

The story behind the walls

Odani developed as an Azai stronghold in the early 16th century. Sukemasa, Hisamasa and Nagamasa used it as their seat over three generations. After the family’s defeat by Oda Nobunaga, the castle was granted to Hashiba Hideyoshi. It lost its role when Hideyoshi established a new base at Imahama, later Nagahama.

LAYOUT & ARCHITECTURE

Read the landscape and the buildings.

A series of ridge-top enclosures, walls and ditches formed this medieval mountain castle. Natural contours dictated its shape, unlike regular lowland castles. Its scale becomes clear only by following several enclosures across the hillside.

A CLOSER LOOK

Details worth a closer look.

01

Main enclosure and hall site

Terraces at the main enclosure and hall site mark former buildings. They invite visitors to look for spaces of residence and government, not only viewpoints.

02

Enclosures along the ridges

Enclosures followed the eastern and western ridges. Moving between them reveals how the mountain itself shaped the castle.

03

Walls and ditches

Stone walls survive in several enclosures, while ditches remain on the slopes. Reading both stone and earthen features brings the defences into focus.

THROUGH THE YEARS

A short timeline

  1. c. 1525

    The castle developed as an Azai stronghold.

  2. 16th century

    Three generations of the Azai family held the castle.

  3. Late 16th century

    After the Azai defeat, Hideyoshi moved to Nagahama and the castle was abandoned.

BEFORE YOU GO

A note before you go.

This visit involves a mountain hike. Choose the enclosures you intend to reach using a map, and bring suitable footwear and water.

Official visitor information ↗Find it on a map ↗

Information checked: 27 September 2026

Sources & official information

Some official sources are available in Japanese only.

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