Ichinomiya Castle, Mountain fortress in Tokushima, Japan.
Ichinomiya Castle is a mountain fortress in Tokushima built across multiple baileys with stone walls positioned at about 144 meters (470 feet) above sea level. The Akui River runs below the site, forming a natural defensive boundary that protected the stronghold.
The fortress was founded in 1338 by the Ogasawara clan and later came under the control of the Ichinomiya family. Power over the region shifted decisively when Toyotomi Hideyoshi conquered Shikoku in 1585.
The site lies near Ichinomiya Shrine and Dainichi Temple, showing how military strongholds and religious places stood close together in feudal Japan. Walking through the area today, you can see how these structures shaped the local landscape and community.
The site is best explored on foot with a hiking trail of about 30 minutes leading to the main area. The path is steep and requires good footing, especially during wet weather conditions.
The fortress fell after a prolonged siege when a large force advanced from three directions and cut off the water supply. This decisive victory allowed the region to be unified under new control.
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