Château d'Hanazawa, Mountain fortress in Yaizu, Japan.
Château d'Hanazawa is a mountaintop fortress in Yaizu spreading across three districts: Takasaki, Yoshizu, and Noaki. Stone walls and water-filled moats define the outer boundaries of this defensive structure.
Built in 1568 under orders from warlord Imagawa Yoshimoto, the fortress was designed to guard trade routes between Nihonzaka and Kosaka. Its location reflected the military strategies needed during the Sengoku period of constant regional conflict.
A shrine to the fox deity sits at the summit with red torii gates, blending local spiritual beliefs with the site's military past. This union of worship and fortification is visible throughout the grounds.
From Yaizu Station's south exit, take the Yaizu Loop Line bus to the Takakusayama Ishiwaki stop. The castle grounds lie a short walk uphill from this point.
Excavations in 2018 uncovered foundations and wall remnants that reveal the construction methods and defensive thinking of the original builders. These findings offer rare insight into how medieval Japanese engineers adapted their designs to the mountainous terrain.
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