Complete Guide to Tsurugaya Jinya Ruins (Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture) | The History and Current State of a Short-Lived Jinya
Located in Hojo, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, the Tsurugaya Jinya Ruins were the site of the Nagao Domain’s administrative office, which existed for only one year during the Meiji Restoration. While the site is now a residential area and no clear remains are visible, its short history encapsulates the turbulent period from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration. This article provides a detailed explanation of the Tsurugaya Jinya’s origins, its history leading up to the abolition of the feudal domains and establishment of prefectures, and its current state.
What is Tsurugaya Jinya? | Basic Information
Alternate Name: Hojo Jinya
Location: Hojo, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture
Builder: Honda Masatotsu
Year of Construction: Meiji 3 (1870)
Year of Abandonment: Meiji 4 (1871)
Current Status: Residential Area
Remains: Almost completely gone (only traces remain in the layout)
Tsurugaya Jinya was a fortified residence built by the Honda clan, who were transferred from Tanaka Domain in Suruga Province to Awa Province, as the administrative center of the Nagao Domain. It was located in the area south of the current Chiba Prefectural Awa High School, but is known as a short-lived fortified residence that ceased to function after just over a year due to the abolition of the feudal system and the establishment of prefectures.
The History of Tsurugaya Jinya | From a Coastal Defense Camp in the Late Edo Period to the Nagao Domain Office
The Beginning as a Coastal Defense Camp
The history of Tsurugaya Jinya dates back to the 1840s during the late Edo period. At that time, the shogunate was compelled to strengthen coastal defenses of the Boso Peninsula in preparation for the approach of foreign ships. Matsudaira Tadakuni, the lord of the Oshi Domain, received this order and constructed a coastal defense camp in Tsurugaya, Hojo Village, overlooking Tateyama Bay.
This coastal defense camp functioned as an important base for monitoring the coastline at the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula and preparing for the arrival of foreign ships. Because Awa Province is located at the entrance to Edo Bay, it was a strategically important area as the front line of the capital’s defense.
Honda Clan’s Relocation to Awa Province and Construction of the Nagao Jinya
In 1868 (Keio 4), Honda Masanori, the lord of the Tanaka Domain in Suruga Province, was transferred from Kazusa Province to Awa Province, along with the Tokugawa family’s relocation to Suruga. His domain, totaling 40,000 koku, was moved. This was part of the Meiji government’s reorganization of daimyo (feudal lords).
Initially, Honda Masanori planned to construct a new jinya in Nagao Village, Takiguchi, Shirahama-cho, Minamiboso City. Construction of the Nagao Jinya was progressing smoothly, but a typhoon in 1869 (Meiji 2) caused the building to collapse. This natural disaster forced the abandonment of the Nagao Jinya construction plan.
Relocation of the Domain Office to Tsurugaya
Following the abandonment of the Nagao Jinya construction, the Honda clan was compelled to find a new location for their domain office. The site chosen for this purpose was the former coastal defense encampment in Tsurugaya, Hojo Village.
From January 1870 (Meiji 3), the Honda family renovated the Tsurugaya coastal defense encampment and proceeded with the construction of a new domain office and residences for samurai. In November of the same year, the domain office was officially moved from Nagao to Tsurugaya, and the Tsurugaya encampment (Hojo encampment) began to function as the center of the Nagao domain.
Samurai residences were also developed around the domain office, and the formation of an orderly castle town progressed. The current layout of the area from around Awa High School to Showa-dori in front of the station still reflects the urban planning of that time.
Abolition of the feudal domains in just one year
However, the Tsurugaya encampment functioned as the domain office for only a little over a year. In July 1871 (Meiji 4), the Meiji government carried out the abolition of the feudal domains, and all feudal domains throughout the country were abolished simultaneously. The Nagao Domain was no exception, and the Tsurugaya Jinya (fortified residence) came to an end.
From its construction to its abandonment, its actual period of use was an extremely short one year. This brevity is a noteworthy record in the history of Japanese castles.
About the Honda Clan of the Nagao Domain
The Honda clan, who built the Tsurugaya Jinya, was a prestigious family of Tokugawa retainers. Honda Masanori was the lord of the Tanaka Domain in Suruga Province (present-day Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture), but was ordered to relocate to Awa Province during the turbulent period of the Meiji Restoration.
The Honda clan was a medium-sized daimyo with a domain of 40,000 koku, but they had strong ties to the Tokugawa family and managed their domain’s affairs according to the instructions of the new government during the transition from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era. The relocation to Awa Province was part of the territorial reorganization when the Tokugawa main family moved from Sunpu to Shizuoka.
Lord Honda Masanori attempted to construct two domain offices (Nagao and Tsurugaya) under difficult circumstances, striving to establish a domain administration for a short period. However, he could not resist the major tide of the times, and lost his position as lord of the domain with the abolition of the feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures.
Structure and Scale of the Tsurugaya Domain Office
The Tsurugaya domain office was originally a facility built as a coastal defense fort, which was later renovated and expanded. The building serving as the domain’s administrative center was located in the center of the office, with samurai residences for the domain’s retainers systematically arranged around it.
Layout of the Domain Office
The site of the domain office is believed to have extended to the area south of the current Chiba Prefectural Awa High School. It is presumed that the following facilities were developed around the domain office:
- Domain Office: The central facility for conducting government affairs
- Samurai Residences: Residences for samurai and their families
- Warehouses and Storehouses: Facilities for storing rice and other goods
- Gates and Walls: Facilities that demarcated the jinya (fortified residence)
Layout of the Castle Town
A distinctive feature of the Tsurugaya Jinya is the attempt to create a planned castle town, albeit for a short period. The orderly layout of the residential area from the west side of Awa High School to Showa-dori in front of the station is considered a remnant of the urban planning of 1870 (Meiji 3).
This layout is based on an orderly grid pattern and is a valuable example of urban planning during the transitional period from the early modern to the modern era.
Current Status of the Tsurugaya Jinya Site | Remains and Highlights
Current State of Remains
Unfortunately, there are currently very few clear remains of the Tsurugaya Jinya. The site of the former jinya (fortified residence) has been completely developed into a residential area, and it is no longer possible to see any traces of stone walls, moats, or buildings.
After the abolition of the feudal system and the establishment of prefectures, the jinya buildings were demolished, and the land was sold off to private individuals. More than 150 years later, it has become a typical residential area.
Traces Remaining in the Land Layout
Although the physical remains are gone, as mentioned above, the land layout of the surrounding area still shows remnants of the urban planning of the time. Walking along the orderly street layout from the vicinity of Awa High School to Showa Street allows one to imagine the scale of the former jinya and castle town.
Exploring the area with a map in hand will allow you to sense the traces of the planned town layout from the early Meiji period.
Signs and Information Boards
There are no large-scale information boards or monuments indicating the site of the Tsurugaya Jinya. Therefore, visiting without prior knowledge may make it difficult to realize that this was once a historical jinya site.
Those interested in castles and history are advised to check the location beforehand.
Access Information
Access by Train
- Approximately 10-15 minutes on foot from JR Uchibo Line “Tateyama Station”
- From the west exit of Tateyama Station, head west along Showa-dori towards Awa High School.
Access by Car
- Approximately 15 minutes from Futtsu-Tateyama Expressway “Tomiura IC”
- Head towards Tateyama city center via National Route 127.
Parking
There is no dedicated parking lot at the Jinya site itself. You will need to use paid parking lots around Tateyama Station or parking lots at nearby public facilities. However, please avoid street parking as it is a residential area.
Location Details
Address: Hojo, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture (area south of Awa High School)
Nearby Attractions
When visiting the Tsurugaya Jinya site, we recommend also visiting other historical spots in Tateyama City.
Tateyama Castle (Tateyama City Museum)
Tateyama Castle, a symbol of Tateyama City, was the residence of the Satomi clan, who ruled Awa Province during the Sengoku period. Currently, it houses the Tateyama City Museum, where you can learn about the history of Awa. From the castle-like building, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Tateyama Bay.
Funagata Jinya Ruins
Also located in Tateyama City, the Funagata Jinya Ruins are an important historical site that tells the history of the late Edo period. Built in 1864 by Hiraoka Michihiro, a hatamoto (direct retainer of the shogun) with a stipend of 500 koku, he later grew to 10,000 koku and became a feudal lord.
Tateyama Naval Air Base Ruins
For those interested in modern history, the Tateyama Naval Air Base Ruins are also recommended. Remains from the Pacific War are still there, allowing you to learn about the history of the war.
Shiroyama Park
Shiroyama Park, where Tateyama Castle is located, is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. In spring, it’s a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, offering stunning views of Tateyama Bay.
Historical Significance of the Tsurugaya Jinya Site
Although the Tsurugaya Jinya existed for only a short period of one year, it holds significant importance in Japanese history.
Symbol of the Transition Period from the End of the Edo Period to the Meiji Era
The history of the Tsurugaya Jinya symbolizes the turbulent period from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era. Its history, starting as a coastal defense fort and later developing as a domain office, before disappearing with the abolition of the feudal domains and establishment of prefectures, vividly illustrates the rapid transition from the early modern to the modern era.
Pioneer of Modernization in the Awa Region
The planned construction of the castle town by the Honda clan can be considered a pioneer of modern urban planning in the Awa region. The orderly layout of the streets reflects the transitional period from a feudal castle town to a modern city.
An Example of Daimyo Reorganization
The relocation of the Honda clan to Awa Province is historically significant as an example of the reorganization of daimyo placement during the Meiji Restoration. It serves as a concrete example of the series of territorial redistribution processes accompanying the Tokugawa family’s relocation to Suruga Province.
Points to Note When Visiting
Please note the following points when visiting the Tsurugaya Jinya site:
Consideration for a Residential Area
The current Jinya site is entirely a residential area. When visiting, please be considerate of the privacy and lives of the residents, refraining from shouting or trespassing on private property.
Understanding the Almost Absent Remains
As mentioned above, there are almost no clear remains. Visitors expecting to see stone walls or moats may be disappointed. It is recommended to visit with the aim of experiencing the atmosphere of a historical site.
Photography Etiquette
Photography in a residential area requires consideration for the residents. Please be careful not to include private homes or residents in your photos, and when photographing streetscapes or districts, please do so with moderation.
The Value of Visiting the Tsurugaya Jinya Ruins
Although no clear remains of the Tsurugaya Jinya Ruins exist, it is worth visiting for history buffs.
Experiencing the Romance of History
The short-lived history of the Jinya, which lasted only one year, condenses the drama of a turbulent era. By imagining the historical flow—the collapse of the Nagao Jinya due to a typhoon, the hasty relocation to Tsurugaya, and the abolition of the feudal domains—you can feel the spirit of the transition period from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era.
Comprehensively Learning the History of Awa
By combining a visit to the Tsurugaya Jinya Ruins with tours of other historical sites such as Tateyama Castle and the Funagata Jinya Ruins, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the history of the Awa region. You can relive the flow of time, from the Satomi clan of the Sengoku period to coastal defense at the end of the Edo period and the reorganization of daimyo placements during the Meiji Restoration.
Exploring the Origins of Modern Urban Planning
By observing the orderly street layout, we can understand the urban planning concepts of the early Meiji period. This will be an interesting perspective for those interested in architecture and urban planning.
Summary
The Tsurugaya Jinya site in Hojo, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, is the site of the Nagao Domain’s administrative office, which existed for only one year, from 1870 to 1871. It began as a coastal defense fort during the late Edo period and was later developed as the domain’s administrative office after the Honda clan’s relocation to Awa Province. However, its existence was short-lived due to the abolition of the feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures.
Although no clear remains exist today, the orderly layout of the surrounding area shows traces of the urban planning of the time. The history of the Tsurugaya Jinya is a valuable example symbolizing the turbulent period from the late Edo period to the Meiji era, and holds significant importance in understanding modern Japanese history.
When visiting Tateyama, why not visit the Tsurugaya Jinya site, a historically interesting site despite its short lifespan, along with Tateyama Castle and the Funagata Jinya site? Even without visible remains, the lives of people who lived through turbulent times were undeniably present there.
