Takatori Castle, Hill castle in Takatori, Japan.
Takatori Castle is a hilltop fortress ruin in the town of Takatori, rising 583 meters (1,913 feet) above sea level. The site still shows stone walls and foundations of nearly thirty fortified watchtowers that were spread across the steep terrain.
The Ochi clan built the fortress in 1332 during a time of political turmoil in Japan. The site grew into one of the three largest mountain defensive structures in medieval Japan and was later controlled by different ruling families.
The name derives from Mount Takatori, on whose summit the fortification was built. Visitors today can walk between the preserved stone walls and see how steep the terrain was that inhabitants had to negotiate daily.
The climb to the summit takes roughly one hour from the nearest railway station and follows a steep path through wooded areas. Sturdy footwear is necessary as the trail can be slippery in places and passes over uneven stone steps.
During the Edo period, the Uemura lords resided in the lower town while their retainers occupied higher positions on the mountain. This arrangement reversed the usual social hierarchy where nobility normally inhabited the highest and most protected areas.
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