This location is on the border of the three counties of Tonami, Imizu, and Nei, and the castle could command the major transportation route within the province.

The Hatakeyama preferred to rule in absentia from Kyoto, and the province was sub-divided between the Jinbō, Shiina and Yusa clans to administer on their behalf.

Jinbo Yoshimune (d. 1531) attempted to ally with the Ikkō-ikki movement and to become independent, but was crushed by the Hatakeyama and by the forces of the Uesugi clan from neighbouring Echigo Province.

A direct bannerman of Nobunaga, he served Toyotomi Hideyoshi reluctantly, and was later sent to Higo Province in Kyushu, with Masuyama Castle being awarded to Maeda Toshiie.

[2] All of the structures of Masuyama Castle have long been lost and only some remnants of dry moats and the lines of the clay ramparts remain.