Motodaiyama Castle, Mountain fortress in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
Motodaiyama Castle is a mountain fortress in Kagawa Prefecture built with stone walls and wooden structures positioned at the summit. The remains spread across the hilltop and open views toward the surrounding valleys in every direction.
The fortress emerged during the Sengoku period when regional lords built mountain strongholds to protect and control their territories. It functioned as part of a network of defensive sites strategically positioned across the region.
The castle displays typical features of feudal Japanese military architecture that visitors can still observe today. You can see how the fortification was designed to control and defend the surrounding territory.
Access to the castle is through marked hiking trails that lead to the mountain summit where the ruins are located. The terrain is hilly and requires moderate physical effort, which visitors should consider when planning their visit.
The site lies within a region abundant with medieval mountain fortresses that reveal how feudal leaders used natural geography for defense. Visitors can observe how the terrain and elevation were deliberately selected to create military advantages over a vast area.
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