Aterazawa Tateyama Castle, Mountain fortress site in Ōe, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Aterazawa Tateyama Castle was a mountain fortress built on a U-shaped plateau surrounded by earthen ramparts and dry moats. The site rose above a dramatic bend in the river, using the natural terrain for defense and surveillance.
The Aterazawa family built the first fortifications here in the 14th century to control river passage and trade. Their power ended in 1584 when they were defeated by the rival Mogami clan.
This was the seat of the Aterazawa family, who held power in the region during medieval times. Today visitors walk through grounds where local families once controlled river passage and regional trade routes.
Visitors reach the ruins through Tateyama Park located north of Aterazawa Station. The path is clearly marked and the grounds are accessible throughout the day.
The government designated this site as a National Historic Monument in 2009, recognizing its outstanding example of medieval fortress construction. This official status reflects how the design principles found here influenced defensive architecture across the region.
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