[3] During the Nanboku-chō period, northern Ōmi Province (modern Shiga Prefecture) was under the control of the Kyōgoku clan, vassals of the Ashikaga shogunate.

However, the Kyōgoku preferred to govern by proxy while remaining behind to enjoy the comforts of Kyoto and to engage in internal politics of the shogunate.

He then pursued an aggressive campaign to seize more of the Rokkaku territories in southern Ōmi and into Mino Province and with the increased power and prestige of the Azai clan, Odani Castle was also expanded and strengthened.

At the Siege of Kanegasaki (1570) the Asakura and Azai armies caught Nobunaga in a pincer movement and forced his retreat.

At the Battle of Anegawa, five kilometers south of Odani Castle, the Azai were defeated, losing half their territory and were besieged.

At the center of main area is a huge dry moat of 20 meters in width, which divides the castle into two parts.

The inner area behind the moat was the older and more important part of the castle, with the Third Bailey (San-no-maru) at the highest point of the mountain.

The entrance to the site is a 45-minute walk from Kawake Station on the JR West Hokuriku Main Line, and it is a further one-hour hike up the mountain to reach the hilltop ruins.