なかなか面白い展望台から夕陽を眺めることができるそうなので、行ってみることにする。途中、夷隅川を渡る橋の両脇にはお城の天守閣を模した飾りが立っていた。万木城であろう。
My brother said that we can watch the sunset from a very interesting
observation deck. So, I agreed with him to go. On the way, he was noticed me
the decorations on both sides of a bridge crossing the Isumi River. They
resembled a castle tower. I guess that it would imitate Mangi Castle.
県道から左折すると、細い山道になる。やがて坂が急になる頃には車がすれ違えない程細くなるので、待ち時間が表示される簡易な信号が設置され、一方通行になっている。
the slope got steeper, the road became too narrow. So, two cars couldn't pass
each other. Therefore, the road became one-way and a simple traffic light that
displayed the waiting time was installed.
参道を抜けると、空が開けた駐車場に行き当たる。眼下に広がる畑や人家の営みから遠くの緑深い丘までを広く一望できる。
After we went through the mountain path, we arrived at the parking lot with an
open view. We could see the wide fields, household activities and the distant
lush green hills, which spread out below.
下から見上げる外観はお城の天守閣だが、近づいてみると、つづら折りの階段が剝き出しのまま、展望台へと続いている。
parking. But, as I approached, I recognized that the exposed winding staircase
leaded to the observation deck.
According to legend, the castle was built in 1412, the early Muromachi period
言い伝えによると、築城は室町時代初期の応永19年（西暦1412年）、摂津国から移った土岐時政によると言われているが、どうも不明な点が多いようで、築城者は不明であるらしい。
by Toki Tokimasa, who moved from Settsu Province. But there are many
unknowns and the builder is still unknown.
At that time, Mangi Castle was a mountain castle and surrounded by the
当時の万木城は東西と北側を夷隅川沿いの崖に囲まれた山城で、主郭を主とした3つの郭によって構成されていたと言う。
Isumi River on the east, west, and north side. It consisted of three castle walls
including the main castle walls.
It is said that the Toki clan had the strong authority in this area. The castle fell in 1590. As he sided with the Hojo during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attack on
土岐氏はこの地では権勢を誇っていたようである。落城は1590年で、豊臣秀吉による小田原討伐の際に北条側に付いたことから、徳川軍の本田忠勝に攻め落とされていたが、その後は本田忠勝がここを居城したことが文書から明らかになっている。正式には天正19年（西暦1591年）とされている。
Odawara, the castle was occupied by Honda Tadakatsu who sided with the
Tokugawa army. Some document shows that Honda Tadakatsu lived here after
that. Officially, the case occurred in 1591.
残念ながら夕日は厚い雲に遮られてしまい、直に拝むことはできなかった。だが、小高い丘の頂上にあるので、広い田園やこじんまりとした林の点在する見晴らしには心が穏やかになる。
Unfortunately, as the sunset was blocked by thick clouds, we couldn't enjoy the great view directly. However, since it's located at the top of a small hill, my mind became calm by the view of wide farmland and small forests which were dotted around.
天守閣を模した展望台には細い遊歩道が一周しているので、360度の長閑な景色を堪能できる。四方それぞれに、眺められる景色の案内板が設置されていた。
On the observation deck imitating a castle tower, a narrow promenade circles the area. So we could enjoy a 360-degree tranquil view. There were the
information boards on each four sides which explained the contents of the
views.
高台から周囲を望める展望台にはほぼ必ずと言っていいほど設置されている望遠鏡だが、万木城では無料で覗けるのがなかなか面白い。
At the almost observation decks that viewed the surrounding area from a high
At the almost observation decks that viewed the surrounding area from a high
point, the telescopes were usually set up. But the telescopes here were very
interesting because everybody can use them for free always.
看板によると、展望台の裏の広場にはかつて道場や学問所があったらしい。
According to the sign, the open space behind the observation deck was once
According to the sign, the open space behind the observation deck was once
the site for a dojo and a school.
ここでは毎年、ツツジが咲き誇る５月３日の時期には「万木城まつり」が開催される。展望台の周囲には多数の大きな鯉のぼりが風に泳ぎ、広場の周りには屋台も出る。中央には土俵が作られ、子供が力士に立ち向かう相撲大会などが開かれるそうである。
Every year on May 3rd when the azaleas are in full bloom, "Manki Castle
ここでは毎年、ツツジが咲き誇る５月３日の時期には「万木城まつり」が開催される。展望台の周囲には多数の大きな鯉のぼりが風に泳ぎ、広場の周りには屋台も出る。中央には土俵が作られ、子供が力士に立ち向かう相撲大会などが開かれるそうである。
Festival" is held here. A lot of the large carps are swimming in the streaming
wind around the observation deck. Around the space, many kinds of food stalls are set up. At the center, a sumo ring is temporally made. "Sumo Tournament"
is held among children. In addition, children can stand up to some real "Sumo Wrestlers" too.
You can enjoy seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms in spring and
春は桜、初夏には紫陽花など四季折々の花を鑑賞でき、広場を囲う森には多様な鳥類が生息している。かつては森の中を散策できたそうである。
hydrangeas in early summer. A wide variety of bird species live in the forest
surrounding the open space. It is said that people could take a walk through the forest before.
いすみ市推奨の絶景スポットには、写真のフレームになりそうなベンチが設置されている。背後の景色と共に撮影すれば、素晴らしい記念になることだろう。弟の話では、市内には五か所に設置されているとのことである。
At the great view spots recommended by Isumi City, the nice benches that
would be used as photo frames are set up. If you took a photo with the scenery in the background, it would be your wonderful memory. According to my
brother, there are five other places in Isumi city.
帰途、橋の脇に立つお城には明かりが灯っていた。ただの飾りではなく、灯篭だった。街灯の少ない夜道には、さぞ映えることであろう。
On the way back, the imitating castles beside the bridge were lit up from inside. They were not just decorations, but lanterns. I thought that the lights would look much more beautiful for the drivers because there were few street lights on the roads at night.
