Château de Yamanaka

This castle stands on a 120-meter mountain, covering 400 meters east to west and 200 meters north to south, with two streams forming natural defenses.

The Saigo clan constructed this fortification around 1500 as their military base, leading to territorial conflicts with the Matsudaira clan across the Otogawa River.

The castle displays traditional Japanese military architecture through its multiple baileys, earthen walls, and strategic vertical trenches positioned along mountain slopes.

The castle entrance features a defensive semi-circular structure called Umadashi, which controls access through carefully designed twisting paths and dry moats.

The fortress incorporates tatebori trenches facing north, demonstrating advanced medieval Japanese engineering through precise placement of V-shaped defensive cuts.

GPS coordinates: 35.15640,138.99242

Latest update: March 10, 2025 00:27