Surugamaru Castle, Feudal fortress in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Surugamaru Castle is a Japanese castle in Shizuoka Prefecture with structures from different periods. The site features a central keep surrounded by defensive walls, stone foundations, and fortified gates that show how feudal strongholds combined protection with administrative functions.
The castle was built during the Edo period as a strategic military and administrative hub for the Suruga region. Its development reflects the political shifts of central Japan and the role such fortresses played in maintaining regional control during feudal times.
The name refers to the historical Suruga province that once defined this region. Walking through the grounds, you can observe how the layout reflects the practical needs of feudal administrators and warriors who once lived and worked here.
The site is open year-round, though warmer months make exploration more comfortable as you navigate uneven ground and stone stairs throughout the complex. Good walking shoes are essential since paths wind through historical structures and elevated terraces.
The stone walls were built without mortar, with stones carefully stacked to achieve both stability and water drainage through the structures. This clever approach allowed the castle to survive earthquakes common to the region.
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