Shirokane Choja, Archaeological site in Shirokanedai, Japan
Shirokane Choja is a castle site and archaeological location in Shirokanedai featuring triangular earthen ramparts that form a defensive perimeter. The walls span several hundred meters and enclose an area where medieval residential structures and daily objects have been uncovered through excavation.
The site was established around 1500 when a wealthy individual chose the location for his residence due to silver deposits in the area. The earthen ramparts were constructed as defensive structures against fire and external threats.
The name refers to the wealthy landowner who chose this location for his residence because of the area's resources. Visitors walking the earthen walls today can see how medieval families shaped and protected their living spaces through landscape design.
The site is accessible through the Institute for Nature Study, located in Tokyo's Minato district. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when milder weather allows you to walk the grounds comfortably and see how vegetation frames the ancient structures.
Camphor trees planted during the medieval period still stand on the walls and are over 500 years old. These trees are remarkable not only as remnants of the historical settlement but also show how intentionally the inhabitants shaped their landscape over generations.
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