Château de Chokuminejo

Château de Chokuminejo is a Japanese castle in the Joetsu region of Niigata Prefecture built on elevated terrain with stone foundations and defensive moats. Wooden structures rise from fortified grounds surrounded by earthen barriers and water channels that form the site's main features.

The castle was built during the Edo period under Tokugawa shogunate rule and served the Takada Domain as its administrative center. It experienced several political transitions while maintaining importance for regional control and governance.

The castle displays traditional Japanese fortification design with water channels and earth barriers that visitors can still observe today. Its position near river confluences shaped how people used this location for control and protection.

The site is accessible by train with connecting walking paths that guide visitors to the location. It is wise to bring suitable footwear since the ground is uneven and walking over ruins requires careful navigation.

The preserved sections of moats and earth embankments show advanced medieval Japanese engineering techniques used for defense. These structures are rare examples of how fortification methods were actually applied in practice during that era.