Aratakiyama Castle, Mountain fortress in Ube City, Japan
Aratakiyama Castle is a medieval mountain fortress built on a ridge in Ube with multiple defensive levels. The site shows stone foundations, watch positions, and excavation areas that reveal how the structure was organized for defense across different sections.
The Naito family built this fortress between 1532 and 1555 while serving the Ouchi clan as retainers. It served as a defensive stronghold during a period of significant regional change.
The name comes from the sacred mountain Arataki, which held spiritual importance for people in this area. Walking through the site, you can sense how this religious meaning shaped the location across generations.
Walking paths with information signs guide you across the grounds, with the climb from the parking area taking about an hour. Sturdy shoes and plenty of water are important, as the trail becomes steep and offers little shade.
Excavations uncovered ceramics from Kyoto and pottery from China and Korea, showing this remote mountain fortress was connected to distant trade networks. These findings reveal that goods from across East Asia reached this isolated hilltop settlement.
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