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Nitta Shrine

群馬県

A shrine atop Kanayama Castle ruins (one of Japan's 100 Famous Castles) enshrining Nitta Yoshisada, who destroyed the Kamakura shogunate

Founded

1875

Type

Shrine

Visited

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Access

40 min on foot from Tobu Isesaki Line Ota Station

40-44 Kanayama-machi, Ota, Gunma

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Info

Shrine

Founded 1875

151 years

Enshrined Deity

新田義貞

Overview

A shrine enshrining the warrior Nitta Yoshisada, who destroyed the Kamakura shogunate, situated on the ruins of Kanayama Castle, one of Japan\'s 100 Famous Castles. Yoshisada conquered Kamakura in 1333, destroying the Hojo clan, and is also famous for the legend of throwing a golden sword into the sea at Inamuragasaki to part the tides. The stone walls of the castle ruins are well preserved, with …

Origins

The mountain of Kanayama (239 m), where Nitta Shrine stands, is said to have served as the site of Kanayama Castle, built in the early 15th century by the Iwamatu clan, a branch of the Nitta clan. Throughout the Sengoku period, the castle was contested by the Uesugi and Hojo clans, and is traditiona…

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Related Articles
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Descendants of the Warrior Who Refused Yoritomo: Who Was Nitta Yoshishige, Founder of the Nitta Clan?

Nitta Yoshishige, Yoshisada's ancestor, refused to join Yoritomo's uprising against the Taira. That decision shaped the Nitta clan's fate for 150 years — until his descendant Yoshisada destroyed the very shogunate Yoritomo founded.

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The Warrior Who Became a Vengeful Spirit: Nitta Yoshioki and the Tragedy of Yaguchi

Nitta Yoshioki continued his father Yoshisada's fight for the Southern Court until 1358, when he was lured onto a boat at Yaguchi ford (modern Tokyo), the vessel was sunk, and he drowned. His vengeful ghost became the subject of Edo-era Kabuki.

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He Split the Sea to Attack Kamakura: Yoshisada and the Miracle of Inamuragasaki

In 1333 Nitta Yoshisada led a flanking assault through the sea at Inamuragasaki, toppling the Kamakura Shogunate. The legend that 'the sea parted' was born here. The story explained simply.

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Related Historical Events
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1333

鎌倉の戦い（新田義貞の鎌倉攻め）

1333年5月、新田義貞率いる倒幕軍が鎌倉を攻略し、鎌倉幕府を滅亡させた合戦。義貞軍は七口（鎌倉の七つの入口）から同時に攻め込んだが、天然の要害である鎌倉はなかなか陥落しなかった。しかし義貞が稲村ヶ崎の浜辺で太刀を海に投じると、潮が引いて干潟が現れ、軍勢が浜から市中へなだれ込んだという伝説が残る。追い詰められた北条高時ら北条一族・御家人たちは東勝寺に籠り自害、幕府は滅亡した。百三十年余りにわたった鎌倉幕府の終焉を告げる歴史的決戦であり、鎌倉の地に深い傷跡を残した。

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Related Figures
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Nitta Yoshisada

Warrior Who Toppled the Kamakura Shogunate

Age 574 at founding (posthumous)

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Nitta Shrine enshrines Nitta Yoshisada, the warrior who destroyed the Kamakura shogunate. In 1333 he conquered Kamakura and annihilated the Hojo clan.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Taiko, Ruler of All

Age 338 at founding (posthumous)

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In 1590, Hideyoshi's Odawara Campaign destroyed the Hojo clan and completed the unification of Japan, bringing about the abandonment of Kanayama Castle. Long contested by the Uesugi and Hojo clans, this formidable fortress fell silent as the Warring States period came to an end. Today, Nitta Shrine stands on the site, its ancient stone walls bearing quiet witness to Hideyoshi's historic unification.

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Visiting Information

Hours

Both the shrine and castle ruins have no gates and can be visited any time (no lighting on the mountain; descend before sunset). The Guidance Facility at the base is open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM), closed Mondays (following day if a holiday) and New Year.

Admission

Free to visit the shrine and castle ruins. The guidance facility is also free.

As of 2026-07-18. Subject to change.

Also Worth Visiting

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Kanayama Daishi

A Shingon sacred site atop Mt. Kanayama said to have been practiced by Kukai, with a miniature Shikoku pilgrimage circuit on the grounds

An ancient shrine revered as the guardian of medieval Nitta Manor, said to be a site where Yoshisada prayed before his uprising