Fukushima Castle, Mountain fortress in Kiso Valley, Japan
Fukushima Castle is a mountain fortress in the Kiso Valley built across three linked defensive terraces on Mount Shiroyama. The site features earthen ramparts, trenches, and fortified lines that follow the steep slopes to create layered protection.
The fortress was founded in the 1530s by Kiso Yoshiyasu as a regional stronghold controlling this mountain passage. It fell to Takeda Shingen in 1554 after a siege that broke the defenders' resistance through isolation and supply pressure.
The castle site reveals how a mountain stronghold was organized to control movement through the valley with its series of defensive tiers. Visitors walking through the different levels can sense the military logic of the original design and its role in managing regional power.
The ruins are reached by hiking trails that begin from several starting points in the surrounding area and lead upward to the terraces. Wear sturdy footwear since the paths are steep and can be slippery when wet or after rain.
The fortress occupied a critical junction controlling how people and goods moved through the mountain region during its active period. Its location gave it outsized importance in the regional power struggles of the era despite its relatively modest garrison size.
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