Kanagawa Battery, Coastal defense fort in Kanagawa-ku, Japan.
Kanagawa Battery is a coastal fortification in Kanagawa-ku positioned on a projection into Tokyo Bay with commanding views of the water and shipping lanes. The complex features stone walls, gun emplacements, and earth ramparts arranged in a star-shaped defensive layout.
Construction began in 1860 following visits by Western warships to Tokyo Bay, prompting the shogunate to strengthen coastal defenses. The battery remained operational as one of several defensive works built during that decade to protect the capital and its ports.
The fort represents a meeting point where Japan adapted Western military technology while maintaining elements of traditional defense thinking. Walking through the remains, you can observe how both approaches shaped the structure's design.
Plan your visit during daylight when you can clearly see the fortifications and their surroundings across the bay. The terrain is uneven in places and some areas can be damp, so sturdy walking shoes are a good idea.
Naval architect Katsu Kaishu led the design and later became Japan's first Minister of the Navy, bringing hands-on shipbuilding knowledge to military fortifications. His involvement made this battery a key example of how military innovation was guided by naval expertise during the modernization period.
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