Tsuyama Castle

Tsuyama Castle is a Japanese castle ruin in Kakuzan Park in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, featuring massive stone walls and fortification structures spread across sloping terrain. The grounds contain the remains of multiple levels and buildings, with the preserved stonework still showing the defensive layout that once protected the fortress.

The fortress was founded in the 15th century and expanded over generations before reaching its final form during Japan's Edo period. Later restorations have preserved key structures that represent the castle-building methods of that era.

The castle grounds become a gathering place each spring when cherry blossoms draw locals and visitors who walk beneath the blooms and spend time together. This annual moment of gathering under flowering trees connects people to the seasons and to each other.

The site is accessible on foot from the city center and sits within a public park open throughout the day. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the terrain has slopes and uneven ground in several areas.

The fortress was built with a notably high number of defensive towers for an ancient Japanese castle, making the abundance of these structures a distinctive design choice. This concentration of towers represents a particular approach to monitoring the surrounding terrain and controlling entry points.