Ora Castle is at an edge of a mountain ridge that stretches from the east of Mt Takadate.
  
In the 1st year of the Tenbun period (1532), the Muto clan moved from Daihoji Castle to Ora and built this castle here.
  
Muto Yoshiuji suppressed the Shonai district using the power of Uesugi Kenshin, but he killed himself during Tozenji Yoshinaga's uprising. After that, the Muto, Uesugi and Tozenji clans fought for the castle, the ownership of which changed repeatedly.
  
In the 5th year of the Keicho period (1600), Shonai became the territory of Mogami Yoshimitsu and Ora Castle was rebuilt, being renamed Oyama Castle. In the 8th year of the Genna period (1622), the Mogami clan was banished and the castle destroyed.
  
Now, all that remains are some remains of the castle, which may be seen today at Oyama Park in front of Tsuruoka West High School.
  
Ora Castle is a symbol of warring between states in the Japan's civil war period.