Château de Nimagari, Mountain fortress in Nakatsugawa, Japan
Château de Nimagari is a mountain fortress in Nakatsugawa built with clay fortifications atop Mount Takamori, positioned at the strategic crossroads of the Kiso River and provincial trade routes. The restored main keep offers visitors panoramic views across Nakatsugawa city and the Kiso River valley below.
Built between 1532 and 1555 by Tōyama Naokado, the fortress served as the administrative center of the Naegi Domain for twelve successive generations of Tōyama rulers. Its position on major trade routes made it a key power center in the region's feudal politics.
The site is known locally as Akakabe Castle, a reference to its striking red clay fortifications that stand out from typical white castle walls found elsewhere. The on-site museum displays detailed models showing how the fortress once functioned as a center of power during the feudal period.
The site is accessed via restored pathways that lead up the mountain to the main structures, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and prepare for steep sections. The higher elevation means weather can change quickly, so checking conditions before arrival is advisable.
Unlike typical Japanese fortifications with white walls, the red clay construction of this fortress immediately stands out against the mountainous landscape and makes it visually distinctive. This unusual color choice in the fortifications remains one of the first things visitors notice when arriving at the site.
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