Château de Takamishiro, Mountain fortress in Takatori, Japan
Takamishiro is a mountain fortress in Takatori, Nara, featuring 29 white turrets spread across an elevation of about 583 meters. The structures include preserved stone walls and fortification remains scattered across the site.
The fortress was founded in 1332 by the Ochi clan and initially served as a subsidiary to Kaibukiyama Castle. It later became a major strategic stronghold during the Sengoku period.
The white turrets stood out sharply against the mountain backdrop and inspired songs that referenced Tosa, the historical name for this region. This visual identity made the structure memorable in local artistic traditions.
The mountain can be accessed via marked trails, with pathways leading to the main areas, though some sections are steep. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time to explore different parts of the site.
The fortress's remote mountain location protected its original stone walls from destruction, preserving them in a remarkably authentic state. This isolation allowed the medieval structures to survive largely unchanged to the present day.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
