Ogura Castle, Mountain fortress in Tokigawa, Japan
Ogura Castle is a mountain fortress built on a 70-meter ridge spanning roughly 600 by 200 meters. The ruins contain two main enclosures with multiple defensive gates that once overlooked the Tsuchigawa River.
The fortress was built in the late 1400s as a defensive position for the Ueda clan. It later came under the control of the Hojo clan in the 16th century.
The fortress displays regional stone construction methods where flat stones were arranged in brick-like patterns. Visitors walking through the site can observe these traditional building techniques in the remaining walls.
The path to the fortress ruins starts behind Daifukuji Temple and takes roughly an hour to walk from Musashi-Ranzan Station. The site is remote, so bring comfortable shoes and water for the hike.
The ruins form part of four Hiki clan fortified residences across Saitama Prefecture. It received National Historic Site status in 2008.
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