Château de Katsumata, Japanese castle in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
The Château de Katsumata sits atop a hilltop and displays traditional Japanese defensive architecture made of wooden structures built on stone foundations. The layout allows visitors to see the surrounding landscape from various vantage points throughout the grounds.
The castle was built in the early 1300s as a military stronghold during the feudal period. It underwent several reconstructions to adapt to changing warfare techniques of the time.
The castle represents traditional Japanese fortification methods, incorporating strategic elements such as watchtowers and defensive positions within its architectural design.
The grounds are accessible via marked trails that lead to the different areas of the site. A daytime visit works best for seeing the views and structures clearly.
The stone foundations date from the original period and show the engineering skills of medieval Japanese castle builders. These ancient foundations form the base that supports the entire structure and reveal insights into old construction methods.
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