Sakamoto Castle, Water castle in Shimo-Sakamoto, Japan
Sakamoto Castle sits on the western shore of Lake Biwa and features stone walls extending into the water that once controlled naval routes through the region. The ruins today still show the foundations of a medieval water fortress positioned on Japan's largest lake.
Akechi Mitsuhide built the castle in 1571 under orders from Oda Nobunaga as a defensive post following the Siege of Mount Hiei. The structure burned down in 1582 after Mitsuhide rebelled against his lord and was defeated at Yamazaki.
Portuguese missionary Luis Frois called this fortress the second most important in Japan during the Sengoku period and described its architectural refinement. His observations show how European visitors perceived Japanese military architecture in the 16th century.
The castle site sits a short walk from the lake and is accessible via paved paths that pass through residential areas. The ruins are open to explore freely and are best visited in clear weather when views over Lake Biwa are unobstructed.
During low water levels in Lake Biwa, sections of the original stone walls emerge from below the surface and reveal parts of the medieval foundation. These submerged structures show how far the castle originally extended into the water.
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