Urado Castle, Japanese castle in Urado, Japan
Urado Castle stands on a strategic hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Urado Bay, with stone walls marking its former military importance. The ruins reveal the typical layout of a Japanese mountain fortress with multiple defensive levels.
The fortress served as Motochika Chosokabe's residence until 1600, when his son Morichika lost control following the Battle of Sekigahara. This turning point ended the clan's rule in the area and reshaped the local power structure.
The castle grounds host the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, which displays exhibits about the fortress and the Chosokabe clan's rule. Visitors can learn here about the local leaders who shaped the region's history.
Access to the castle ruins is through the memorial museum parking lot, which becomes free when entering before 8:30 in the morning. It is wise to wear sturdy shoes, as the paths up the hill can be uneven and slippery.
Three defensive moats remain visible near the secondary enclosure, showing medieval fortification techniques that were highly effective in their time. These water barriers protected the inner structures from attacks and shaped how the fortress was designed.
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