Kiyama Castle, Mountain fortress in Sakaide and Marugame, Japan
Kiyama Castle sits on Mount Shiroyama and covers a large area with two rings of stone walls protecting the summit. The fortifications follow the natural slope of the mountain and create multiple defensive layers.
The Yamato court built this fortress in the late 600s following a major regional conflict and brought in external engineering help. This structure responded to the strategic threats of that era.
The Shiroyama Shrine on the grounds appears in ninth-century records and marks where the former provincial capital once stood. This connection shows how the location held both spiritual and political importance for the region.
The site can be explored on foot with hiking paths reaching the summit and showing different sections of the fortifications. The location sits in hilly terrain, so visitors should expect slopes and uneven ground.
The fortifications blend stone and earthwork defenses with varying wall heights that reflect the builders' spatial strategy. Despite multiple excavations over the years, few material remains from daily life have been found.
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