岩倉城, Mountain fortress in Mima, Japan.
Iwakura Castle sits on a river terrace 111 meters high, protected by defensive ditches and earthwork walls. The site displays the typical layout of a mountain fortress with multiple defensive levels.
The castle was founded in 1267 during the Kamakura period as a stronghold for the Ogasawara clan. It fell to the Chosokabe forces in 1582.
The castle grounds show traces of six Buddhist temples that were built into the defenses. This blend of religious buildings and military structures reveals how faith and protection were woven together in daily life.
The site is clearly marked from Prefecture Route 12 and easy to find from the road. The nearest railway station, Kojima Station, sits about 3 kilometers away.
The northern section of the ruins contains Shinrakuji Temple, the only surviving Buddhist building from the original complex. Walking through this area gives visitors a direct sense of the religious side of the fortress.
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