Château de Kagamiyama, Mountain fortress in Hino, Japan
Kagamiyama Castle sits on a hilltop at 335 meters elevation with earthen walls and multiple defensive platforms positioned across the terrain. The ruins are accessible through marked walking paths behind the former Hino Industrial High School building.
Seki Kazumasa built the fortress in 1609 to serve as a regional administrative center. However, it was destroyed just 9 years later due to internal conflicts.
The name Kagamiyama refers to a mirror of the mountain in Japanese. The street layout of the former castle town remains visible today with samurai residences that show how people lived during that period.
The ruins are easy to reach on foot, but the site is a typical mountain location with uneven ground and steep sections. Sturdy footwear and some time are necessary to explore all the defensive platforms.
The fortress was one of Japan's shortest-lived castles, existing for only around 9 years. This brief span makes it a rare example of a failed castle venture during Japan's feudal period.
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