Hinoyama Castle, Mountain fortress in Kitahiroshima, Japan.
Hinoyama Castle is a mountain fortress in Kitahiroshima featuring stone walls, dry moats, and views over the passes of the Chugoku range. The site comprises multiple sections including the upper stronghold and a separate fortified residential area located at a lower elevation.
Kikkawa Motoharu, son of Mori Motonari, established this fortress around 1550 as a strategic defense against the Amago clan. The stronghold remained militarily important during the tumultuous Sengoku period of regional warfare.
The site served as a major stronghold for the Kikkawa family during a period of regional conflict and territorial competition. Visitors can observe how the location shaped local power dynamics and settlement patterns.
The site is located in a mountainous area and requires some climbing to reach the upper sections. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and exercise caution around excavated areas and uneven terrain.
Archaeological excavations conducted between 1994 and 1998 uncovered building foundations, wells, and everyday objects from the fortress inhabitants. These discoveries reveal concrete details about how people lived and worked within this mountain stronghold.
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