Naganuma castle, Medieval castle in Naganuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
Naganuma Castle is a medieval fortress located on Hidakami-Yama mountain in a rural area north of Koriyama. The site occupies a pentagonal area of approximately 70 by 50 meters and rises about 40 meters above the Koriyama basin, with earth walls and dry moats still visible today.
Takatoki Naganuma built the fortress in 1260 as the primary stronghold of the Naganuma clan, a branch of the Oyama clan from Tochigi prefecture. The castle later came under the control of the Gamo clan, reflecting its strategic importance in the region during that period.
The site has become known today as a cherry blossom viewing spot, with around 300 trees that transform the historical grounds into a sea of blooms each spring. Visitors come to experience the traditional Japanese practice of hanami, when the trees display their pink and white petals across the slopes.
The site remains in private hands, but visitors can still observe remnants of the original structure including clay walls and dry moats. The best time to visit is spring when the numerous cherry trees are in bloom and the grounds are most accessible.
The outer barrier of this secondary fortress displays unusual proportions that point to its elevated status during the period when the Gamo clan held power. These architectural details set it apart from other smaller fortifications scattered across the region.
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