Kannonji Castle, Mountain fortress in Ōmihachiman, Japan
Kannonji Castle is a ruined fortress on Mount Kinugasa in Ōmihachiman, Japan, sitting at an elevation of 432.9 meters (1,420 feet). The site spreads across several terraces and ridges, with stone walls following the natural contours of the terrain and leading to different defensive positions.
The fortress was built in 1467 by the Rokkaku clan during the Sengoku period to control traffic along the Nakasendō route. Troops under Oda Nobunaga captured the stronghold in 1568, and it was soon abandoned and left to decay.
The fortress follows the yamashiro style, in which defenses were built into steep mountain slopes to create natural barriers against attack. Hikers today walk through the remains of the defensive layers, seeing how warriors once used elevation to control the approach routes and repel invaders.
A roughly one-hour hike from Kuwanomi Temple leads up to the ruins, with a steep path through forest and rock. Sturdy footwear and enough water are important, as the climb is demanding and markings are few along the way.
One section of the stone walls, known as the Big Ishigaki, displays massive blocks layered without mortar that have remained stable for centuries. Near the upper terrace sits a medieval well that once secured water supply for the garrison during sieges.
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