Uwajima Castle, Japanese castle in Uwajima, Japan.
Uwajima Castle is a Japanese fortress in Uwajima, Japan, perched on a forested hill above the city and recognized as one of twelve remaining original structures from the Edo period. The three-story wooden keep sits within a network of stone walls that follow the natural contours of the terrain, creating multiple terraced levels across the hillside.
Todo Takatora built the fortress in 1601 to control Uwajima Bay and secure the region during the early Edo period. The Date clan later took over and managed the site for generations until the feudal system ended in the 19th century.
The castle remains one of twelve original Japanese fortresses from the Edo period that maintain their original wooden tower structure.
Access involves climbing steep stone steps through the forested hillside, so visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow extra time for the ascent. The wooden interior only opens when weather permits, protecting the historic floors from moisture.
The fortress originally relied on the bay as a natural moat, with seawater surrounding three sides of the hillside fortification. This maritime defense approach set it apart from most other castles, which depended solely on land-based walls and ditches.
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