Last additions - Sunomata Ichiya Castle 墨俣一夜城 |

Jun 21, 2009
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View of Sunomata and the main bridge to the castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Entrance to Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Sunomata Ichiya Castle was reconstructed in April 1991.Jun 21, 2009
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The fourth floor is a gallery. Pictures by local kids.Jun 21, 2009
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Graves of those who died building Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Sunomata Castle marker.Jun 21, 2009
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Shirahige Shrine is next to Sunomata Castle. Jun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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Sunomata Castle has five floors. The first floor has this room introducing the nature and history of Sunomata.Jun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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The 5th floor is the lookout deck. No veranda, but the windows are open for easy viewing and picture-taking.Jun 21, 2009
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Matchlock gunsJun 21, 2009
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Sunomata Ichiya Castle is open 9 am to 5 pm, closed Mon. (open if a national holiday and closed on Tue. instead). Admission 200 yen for adult, free for children below age 18.Jun 21, 2009
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Model of Sunomata which was a post town on the Mino Road between Atsuta in Nagoya and Tarui in Gifu.Jun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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On a clear day, Mt. Ibuki can be seen.Jun 21, 2009
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The 3rd floor shows how Toyotomi Hideyoshi rose to power and prominence.Jun 21, 2009
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Side view of Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Small sculptures on the castle foundation.Jun 21, 2009
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Main bridge to Sunomata Castle. Gourds are prominent here.Jun 21, 2009
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"Hideyoshi" in kanji spelled out with small gourds.Jun 21, 2009
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Next to Shirahige Shrine is Hokoku Shrine dedicated to Hideyoshi.Jun 21, 2009
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Sunomata Castle and gourd sculpture. The gourd (hyotan) was Toyotomi Hideyoshi's trademark as well as a symbol of this area.Jun 21, 2009
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Rest area.Jun 21, 2009
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Bridge to Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Stone foundatio.Jun 21, 2009
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Video screening area.Jun 21, 2009
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When I visited the castle in 1995, the room still had the chairs and table the Crown Prince and Princess used. They have since been removed from the room. This photo was taken in 1995.Jun 21, 2009
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Print showing the construction of Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Golden pair of shachi atop Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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The castle is small, but nice. The stairway here.Jun 21, 2009
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Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Rear view of Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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SwordsJun 21, 2009
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Gifu Castle atop Kinkazan as seen from Sunomata Castle. Then called Inabayama Castle, Gifu Castle was one objective for Sunomata Castle and Hideyoshi.Jun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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View of Shirahige ShrineJun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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View of Nagara River.Jun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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Sunomata CastleJun 21, 2009
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About Hokoku Shrine.Jun 21, 2009
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Nagara River and Gifu Castle on Mt. Kinka on the upper left.Jun 21, 2009
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RoofJun 21, 2009
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Statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in front of Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Hokoku Shrine is called the home of the "God of Success" in reference to Hideyoshi's spectacular rise to power from humble beginnings.Jun 21, 2009
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View of Sunomata-juku post town.Jun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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Marker commemorating the Crown Prince and Princess' visit in April 1995.Jun 21, 2009
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The second floor shows how the castle was built.Jun 21, 2009
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This room was also where Crown Prince Hiro and Crown Princess Masako rested during a visit to the castle in April 1995.Jun 21, 2009
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Sunomata Castle was originally built in 1561 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi supposedly overnight as part of Oda Nobunaga's strategy to conquer Mino (Gifu) Province.Jun 21, 2009
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Statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in front of Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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Next to the castle is also this rack of gourds.Jun 21, 2009
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Near the castle entrance is this stone gourd pouring water.Jun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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Toyotomi HideyoshiJun 21, 2009
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Jun 21, 2009
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Another bridge to Sunomata Castle. More picturesque, but almost useless as it goes to a road with heavy traffic.Jun 21, 2009
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Way to Sunomata Castle. This path goes along the Nagara River.Jun 21, 2009
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Gate to Sunomatawhich was also a post town along the Mino Road. Sunomata is accessible by Gifu Bus (W65 on Obusa Sunomata Route) from JR Gifu Station and Ogaki Station. Get off at Sunomata bus stop. Jun 21, 2009
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Road to Sunomata Ichiya Castle. "Ichiya" means "one night," referring to how long it took to build the castle according to legend. Phone: 0584-62-3322, Address: 岐阜県大垣市墨俣町墨俣1742-1Jun 21, 2009
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Another gate along the path to Sunomata Castle.Jun 21, 2009
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