Château de Yoita Jinya, Mountain fortress in Nagaoka, Japan
Yoita Jinya castle is a Japanese mountain fortress in Nagaoka built across three hilltop areas. The central section features rectangular layout structures surrounded by multiple terraces and extensive dry moats.
The Naoe clan built this fortification in the late 1500s as a strategic stronghold for the Uesugi clan. The site became important for controlling trade routes that passed through the valley below.
The site displays traditional Japanese defensive design with earthen walls and tiered platforms shaped into the hillside. These features helped residents maintain control over the surrounding territory for centuries.
You can reach the site by bus in about thirty minutes from Nagaoka station, or by car in about fifteen minutes from nearby expressways. The terrain is hilly with natural vegetation, so wearing sturdy footwear will make exploration easier.
The fortification sits on Joyama mountain along the Shinano river and once controlled historic communication routes through a system of three parallel hill lines. This location made it a critical point for anyone traveling through the region.
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