Hachigata Castle, Japanese castle in Yorii, Japan
Hachigata Castle is a ruined fortress in Yorii situated on steep cliffs between the Arakawa and Fukasawa rivers, using natural defensive positions. The site overlooks key routes that once connected the Joshu and Shinshu regions.
Nagao Kageharu founded the castle in 1476, and it later became a major stronghold for the Hojo clan controlling northern Kanto. The fortress played a key role in defending this strategically important region.
The site displays traditional Japanese fortification methods with multiple baileys arranged to maximize defense against attack. You can still see how the layout was carefully designed to use the landscape for protection.
You can walk from Yorii Station to reach the site in about 25 minutes, or take a bus to the adjacent Hachigata Castle History Museum. The grounds are easiest to explore in daylight, and wearing proper footwear helps on the steeper paths along the cliffs.
The grounds are home to an ancient cherry tree that has stood for over a century, creating a quiet focal point amid the ruins. Visitors often overlook this living monument, which marks the passage of time in contrast to the stone structures around it.
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