Chigasaki Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Tsuzuki-ku, Japan
Chigasaki Castle is a park in Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama, preserving the earthworks of a medieval castle used from the 15th to 16th centuries. The grounds contain four baileys (central, north, east, west), dry moats, earthen ramparts, a earth bridge, and a well, with explanatory panels.
Chigasaki Castle was in use from the 15th to the 16th century as a medieval fortress. After falling out of use, the site became a wooded grove. From 1990 to 1998 the Yokohama City Furusato History Foundation excavated the castle ruins, and from 2005 the site was developed into a park, completed in 2008.
The layout reflects how medieval castles were organized into separate areas for different purposes and defenses. Walking through the baileys today shows how people structured their fortified spaces.
The park is an 8-minute walk from Center-Minami Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue and Green lines. The grounds are laid out as several baileys, the central, north, east and west enclosures, with earthen ramparts and dry moats between them, so expect uneven ground and steps. Toilets and information boards are on site.
The castle site lay forgotten as ordinary woodland until Yokohama City's Furusato History Foundation excavated it between 1990 and 1998, uncovering the baileys, earthen walls and dry moats now on display. The park opened in 2008.
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