Somayama Castle, Mountain castle in Minamiechizen, Japan
Somayama Castle is a mountain fortress in Minamiechizen located 492 meters above sea level on Mount Soma, divided into three main sections: the main tower area, east palace, and west palace. The site spreads across several levels with remaining stone walls and earthen embankments throughout.
The fortress was founded in the late Kamakura period by Uryu Hitoshi and served an important role during the period of the Northern and Southern Courts. It became a stronghold for Prince Morinaga during this time of division.
The castle grounds display foundation stones from old structures, earthen walls, and deep moats that show how people built defenses in medieval times. These remains give you a direct sense of the engineering methods used centuries ago.
You can reach the castle ruins by following a hiking trail that starts from the parking area near Mount Soma. The climb takes about 30 minutes and is manageable for most people with basic fitness.
The Koromo-kake rock formation features a dramatic vertical cliff where records indicate the lord's wife and servants jumped during a siege. This tragic event is documented in local records and adds emotional weight to the ruins.
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