Hakumai Castle, Mountain fortress in Matsusaka, Japan
Hakumai Castle is a mountain fortress in Matsusaka situated at about 312 meters elevation, comprising two separate compounds: the southern Hakumai and northern Shiinoki sections. The ruins still reveal the structure of both areas and allow visitors to understand how the fortress was organized.
The fortress was built in 1335 by Kitabatake Akiie and served as a strategic stronghold for centuries. In 1569 it fell to Toyotomi Hideyoshi under Oda Nobunaga's command, ending its role as a military center.
The name Hakumai means white rice, derived from a legend about defenders who spread rice from horseback during a siege to fool enemies about their supplies. This tale is still remembered locally and shapes how people understand the site today.
The ruins are reached via a hiking trail of about 40 minutes from the trailhead, accessible by bus from JR Matsusaka Station. Plan accordingly if you prefer an easy walk or want to allow extra time for exploration.
From the mountaintop site visitors can see Ise Bay and Ise-Shima National Park to the east, and Mount Murou-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park to the west. These vistas explain why this location held such strategic value for those who once held it.
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