Hachisuka Castle, Feudal fortress in Tokushima, Japan
Hachisuka Castle sits atop Shiroyama hill overlooking Tokushima city, with layered stone walls and multiple gateways that follow the hillside's natural contours. The fortress design integrates the terrain to create both defensive and command positions across the site.
Hachisuka Iemasa built this fortress in 1585 after receiving the domain from the military leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi during Japan's reunification period. The castle then served as an administrative center overseeing the surrounding region through the era of peace that followed.
The grounds serve today as a place where locals walk and gather to enjoy views over the city below. The layered walls and gates speak to the authority that once centered here.
The climb to the castle takes about 20 minutes on foot from the nearest bus stop, with signs marking the way to the main entrance. The path is manageable for most visitors, though sturdy shoes are helpful since the route goes uphill.
The founding Hachisuka family started as bandits before rising to become powerful feudal lords under Toyotomi Hideyoshi's patronage. This unusual path to power shows how radically one's position could shift during Japan's warring periods.
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