Kiriyama Castle, Mountain fortress in Tsu, Japan
Kiriyama Castle is a mountain fortress in Tsu that sits at approximately 560 meters elevation and preserves earthen fortifications and moat remains from the medieval period. The site displays the typical layout of a Japanese highland stronghold with multiple defensive levels arranged across the terrain.
The Kitabatake clan built this strategic fortress in 1342 as a military stronghold during a period of intense territorial competition. The site remained in use until around 1576, when it was gradually abandoned as military needs shifted.
The castle forms part of Japan's Extended Top 100 Castles list, representing the military engineering capabilities of medieval Japanese builders.
The path to the main bailey starts near the bell tower and leads upward to the plateau area. Wear sturdy shoes for the climb, as the trail involves unpaved terrain that can become slippery during wet weather.
The fortress includes both the castle structures and the Kitabatake residence site, connected through an integrated defensive system.
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