Kii Castle, Korean-style mountain fortress in Kiyama and Chikushino, Japan.
Kii Castle is a Korean-style mountain fortress in Kiyama and Chikushino with earthen ramparts and stone walls. The site spreads across slopes with fortified buildings and gates that together formed a large defense system.
Craftsmen from Baekje built the fortress in 665 CE as part of Emperor Tenji's defense network following the Battle of Hakusukinoe. The construction shows how Japanese rulers responded to external threats.
The ruins show the building methods used in 7th-century Japanese fortifications. You can see how stone walls and earthen ramparts were constructed together to create strong defenses.
The site is on a mountain slope and requires good footwear and stamina to explore the ramparts and pathways. It helps to go early in the day when visibility is clear so you can better understand the landscape.
Archaeological excavations revealed specialized water gates engineered to prevent erosion of the fortification structures. These engineering details show the builders thought about not just defense but also long-term protection of their site.
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