Shinobi Castle Ruins

Oshi Castle Ruins (Oshijo Ato) refer to the remains of Oshi Castle in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture. “Ato” means “ruins,” which is why it is called Oshijo Ato. The site became widely famous as the model for the castle featured in the film “Nobo no Shiro.” In 1590, during the conflict between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Odawara Hojo clan, the castle withstood a water attack led by Ishida Mitsunari, earning the nickname “Floating Castle.” Today, the area has been developed into Oshi Park (Oshijo Ato Park), covering about 2.5 hectares and including the Gyoda City Local History Museum. The Oshi Castle Ruins building can be toured up to the fourth floor as a museum facility. In recent years, the Oshi Castle Hospitality Armor Squad has entertained tourists by dressing as figures such as Narita Nagachika, Kaihime, Masaki Tanba-no-Kami, and Shibasaki Izumi-no-Kami, performing at events centered around the museum on weekends to enliven sightseeing. Although it is called a park, note that there are no areas designed for children’s playground activities. Access to Oshi Castle Ruins is a 15-minute walk from Gyoda-shi Station on the Chichibu Railway. Admission to the Gyoda City Local History Museum is paid, but entry to the park itself is free.