Kifune Castle

Kifune Castle was a Japanese castle in Takaoka surrounded by three concentric moats and wetlands. The site featured substantial earth fortifications arranged to create a strong defensive position.

The castle was founded in 1184 by Ishiguro Mitsuhiro, a local leader who gained prominence in regional conflicts. It later became a focal point for military confrontations before being abandoned in 1586.

The Sakon Garden on the grounds is a traditional Japanese garden that once belonged to the lower residence of the Ishiguro clan. It shows how the noble family arranged their daily life and valued garden design.

The site is now a public park where visitors can walk freely among the remaining earth walls and memorial stones. The terrain shows the layout of the original fortifications and is easy to explore on foot.

The castle served as a military stronghold during conflicts with a religious movement and endured multiple sieges. Traces of this turbulent past remain visible in the fortification patterns you can see in the park.

GPS coordinates: 36.68825,136.91397

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:31