Hataya Castle, Mountain fortress in Yamanobe, Japan
Hataya Castle is a mountain fortress located in Yamanobe, Yamagata Prefecture, built on strategically advantageous terrain. The site uses natural topography with steep slopes and ridges as part of its defensive layout.
The fortress was built during the Sengoku period as an important military outpost. It played a significant role in regional conflicts of the early Edo era.
The castle demonstrates how Japanese military builders integrated natural terrain into their fortifications during feudal times. Walking through the site, you can see how the slopes and ridges were part of the defensive design.
The site is accessible from Yamanobe, where local facilities offer information about the fortress. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain is hilly and sometimes steep.
In 1600, a small garrison of around 300 soldiers under Eguchi Gohei defended the castle against a vastly larger attacking force. This unequal battle is recorded in local historical accounts as a remarkable episode of defensive resistance.
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