The Sakato-jo castle which the clan used as its base played important roles because of the following reasons: It was located at a place enabling the control of overland traffic connecting Echigo-Fuchu (present Naoetsu area of Joetsu City) and the Kanto Plain, was located at a strategic place for traffic using the Uono-gawa River and was also at a strategic place economically, centering on rice production in the Uonuma area.
その居城である坂戸城は、越後府中（現在の上越市直江津地区）と関東平野を結ぶ陸上交通の抑えとして、また、魚野川を利用した河川交通の要所として、さらに魚沼の穀倉地帯を擁する経済上の要地として、重要な役割を担うこととなった。