Hayashi Castle, Hill castle in Matsumoto, Japan
Hayashi Castle is a hill castle near Matsumoto consisting of two separate structures: the main castle sits on Mount Kinka while a smaller fortress stands on Mount Fukuyama. The two sites are connected and display the defensive layouts that were typical for this region.
The castle was built in 1459 by Ogasawara Kiyomune as a key defensive position in the region. It fell in 1550 to Takeda Shingen forces during a nighttime assault and was abandoned afterward.
The remaining stone walls show how mountain castles were built during the Sengoku period. Visitors can see the different construction layers and fortifications as they walk through the ruins.
The hiking trail to the ruins starts at Kinka Bridge and circles through both castle sites. Visit during clear weather, as the slopes become slippery after rain and make walking more difficult.
The smaller fortress on Mount Fukuyama was actually built later, even though researchers initially believed it was older than the main castle. Its complex fortification patterns reveal it was added afterward to strengthen the overall defense.
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