Mitsubashi Castle, Japanese castle in Mimasaka, Japan.
Mitsubashi Castle occupies three mountain peaks and features defensive earthworks, stone walls, and wooden structures across multiple fortified sections. The fortress used the natural mountain terrain as its primary defense system.
The fortress was built around 1160 by the Watanabe clan and called Myoken Castle, but fell under Goto clan control in 1336. This change marked a significant shift in regional power during Japan's medieval period.
The site contains a Myoken Mitsuboshi Inari Shrine and a five-tiered stone monument honoring Lord Goto Katsumoto, revealing how religious devotion and military rule were intertwined in this place. These spiritual elements remain visible to visitors walking through the grounds today.
The castle ruins can be reached by a marked hiking trail that starts at a red torii gate and follows the mountain terrain. The path is manageable for most visitors and offers several rest spots along the way.
The name comes from three distinct mountain peaks that each served as separate fortified areas with their own defensive purposes. This unusual three-part design turned the challenging mountain setting into a strategic advantage.
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