Suemori Castle

Suemori Castle is a former fortress on a hill in Owari Province, Japan, that preserves remnants of dry moats and earthworks. The site stands at an elevation of 43 meters and features moats along its outer edges that reach depths up to 7 meters.

Oda Nobuhide built the castle in 1548 to protect the eastern border of Owari Province from invasions originating in Mikawa and Suruga. The site formed part of a larger defensive network he constructed along strategic points during this period.

The Shiroyama Hachiman Shrine occupies the former main bailey site and draws local residents for religious ceremonies throughout the year. Visitors see red torii gates and offerings that reflect Japan's traditional shrine system.

The site sits about five minutes on foot from Kakuozan Station on the Higashiyama subway line and can be reached via a sloping road. The ruins are open to visit without entry barriers, allowing you to walk around the moats and earthworks at any time.

The grounds contain a half-moon shaped fortification known as Mikazuki-hori, which represents a rare form of defensive architecture from the 16th century. This type of moat design appears at few other castle sites from this era.