Kameyama Castle

Kameyama Castle is a Japanese fortress in Kameoka featuring stone walls, moats, and multiple defensive structures spread across different elevation levels. The remaining buildings and ruins show the strategic layout that once controlled the Tanba region.

The castle was built in 1578 by Akechi Mitsuhide under Oda Nobunaga's command and served as a control point for the region through the Meiji period. It was part of the strategic networks established during Japan's reunification era.

The castle grounds now serve as the headquarters of Oomoto, a religious organization that took over the property in 1919 and rebuilt structures after World War II. The site reflects how historical places can take on new spiritual meaning for their communities.

The site sits about 10 minutes' walk south of Kameoka Station, and visitors should check in at the reception desk when arriving. Walking through the grounds means navigating various terrain levels across different sections of the ruins.

The original five-story tower was demolished in 1936 using about 1,500 dynamite charges, and its stones were deliberately dumped into the Sea of Japan. This unusual fate makes it especially interesting for visitors curious about early modern Japanese history.