Chiyogasaki Gun Battery, Artillery battery in Yokosuka, Japan
Chiyogasaki Gun Battery is a brick fortification on Mount Hiraneyama containing several gun positions and defensive structures. The installation overlooks the waterway leading into Tokyo Bay and demonstrates the practical layout of coastal defense from this era.
The battery was built in 1895 as part of the Tokyo Bay defensive network during Japan's rapid modernization following western models in the Meiji period. It served to protect maritime routes and control access to the imperial capital's waters.
The site shows how Japan adopted western military technology and adapted it to defend its own coast during the late 1800s. Walking through the structures, you can sense how the spaces were designed for practical defense rather than traditional appearance.
Getting there requires a vehicle from Yokosuka, as public transport access is limited in this hilly area. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, since some outdoor sections are exposed to sun and wind.
The ammunition storage chambers remain intact and offer a rare glimpse into the logistics of coastal defense operations. You can see how munitions were organized and stored in these underground spaces.
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