[1] Hiyama Castle is located approximately five kilometers southeast from the center of Noshiro city, on the summit of the 150 meter Mount Kiriyama, in the northern part of former Dewa Province.

The Andō were possibly descendants of the indigenous Emishi people who populated the Tōhoku region prior to the arrival of the Yamato Japanese in the late Nara period.

However, in the 15th century, the Andō came under attack by the Nanbu clan based at Sannohe Castle and was forced to retreat from Tosaminoto Port to Hokkaido.

A number of outlying fortifications were also constructed, including the Ōdate and Chausudate, to guard the attack from Ugo kaidō highway connecting the area with Hirosaki to the north.

The Noshiro City Board of Education conducted comprehensive excavations of the castle and its jōkamachi from 2016 The site is located approximately 17 minutes on foot from JR East Ou Main Line Higashi-Noshiro Station.