Kiinokojyoshi in Chikujo, Fukuoka: Walk the Mountain Fortress of the Utsunomiya Clan

A Cliff-Perched Stronghold, Not a Castle

Located in the Samuda district of Chikkami-cho, Chikkami-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture, the ruins of Joinoue Castle are the remains of a mountain castle that can be visited by bus and on foot from Chikkyo Station. It is not a castle, but a fortress on the mountain using the steep natural terrain, with huge rocks called “Omote-mon” and “Uramon” guarding the key points.

The Utsunomiya (Kii) Clan’s Stronghold and Its Fall

This mountain castle was built as the headquarters of the Utsunomiya clan (later the Shiroi clan), which supported the Buzen province. 1587, during the conquest of Kyushu by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the castle lord, Utsunomiya Shigenobu, resisted Kuroda Nagamasa and held out for a time, but perished after a conspiracy, history is oozing with the story.

Trek Through Sengoku-Era Defenses

On the route leading to the summit, there are still chain-link passages and cut banks, allowing climbers to relive the battles of those days while climbing up the mountain. One of the highlights is “Sancho Bow Rock,” where an anecdote is passed down that "three bows were enough.

Nature, Legacy, and Adventure in One

Although the elevation is not so high, climbers need to be careful of chain-link sections. It is important to check the maintenance status of the trail in advance and visit with safe equipment. From the top, the view of the Chikugo countryside, mountains, and natural rock fortress will make this a special day out for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.

Kiinokojyoshi Special site