Château de Kaneko

Kaneko Castle is a mountain fortress in Honjo City featuring wooden structures that blend traditional Japanese architectural elements with layered fortifications. The complex incorporates hinoki cypress construction and contains both residential and ceremonial spaces throughout its layout.

The fortress dates to the early Edo period when it served as both a military stronghold and administrative hub for local feudal rulers. This era shaped its defensive architecture with multiple protective rings surrounding the central core.

The fortress displays design principles of Japanese architecture with sliding doors featuring traditional paintings that visitors can observe. These elements reveal how different spaces were used for ceremonies and daily administrative functions.

The grounds can be explored through guided tours that explain the architectural features and historical importance of different sections. These tours help visitors understand how various areas connect and what roles they played in daily life.

The fortress maintains its original defensive layout with multiple protective rings centered around the honmaru core structure. This concentric defense system was a common strategy to repel attacks and offers visitors a window into medieval military tactics.