- Izushi Castle (Toyooka City)
- Tajima Takeda Castle (Asago City)
- Kuroi Castle (tamba City)
- Sasayama Castle (Tamba-Sasayama City)
- Arioka Castle (Itami City)
- Amagasaki Castle (Amagasaki City)
- Sumoto Castle (Sumoto City)
- Rikan Castle (Sayo-cho)
- Mikazuki Jinya (Sayo-cho)
- Ojio (Okishio) Castle (Himeji City)
- Tatsuno Castle (Tatsuno City)
- Kanjosen Castle (Aioi City)
- Ako Castle (Ako City)
- Akashi Castle (Akashi City)
The castle occupies a section of the Mino mountain range in western Harima Province and is one of the group of castles, covering a wide area, built by the Akamatsu clan, provincial governors during the Muromachi period (1336-1573). The historic site has been developed so it is easier to climb the mountain, and you can visit early stone-walled structures believed to date from the end of the war-torn Sengoku period (roughly corresponding to the 16th century). The masonry, evidently the result of local independently developed civil engineering, produced a low wall describing a circular arc, which follows the topography of the land, but because the corners are not bent in the manner of a ridgeline, it is a precious example of a certain stage in the development of construction techniques.
【Kanjosen Castle】
【Distant view of Kanjosen Castle (part 1)】
【Distant view of Kanjosen Castle (part 2)】
Masonry can be seen on the mountain.
【Trail up the mountain】
【Vestiges of the Otemon Gate】
The front gate of the castle features a stern stone structure.
【Well next to the Otemon Gate】
It was a struggle to secure water in the mountains.
【Trail up to Minami kuruwa (south castle compound)】
Ascend a rocky slope to reach the castle.
Large boulders block the way forward.
At the foot of the mountain path is a steep cliff.
【From the side of Minami kuruwa (south castle compound) / Looking from top to bottom】
The massive structures making use of the natural topography have an overpowering presence.
【Minami kuruwa (south castle compound)】
The masonry of the terraced kuruwa (compound) is visible here and there.
【Minami-kuruwa / drawing arc masonry (left → right)】
The smooth curving masonry has no sangizumi sections.
The exquisite masonry follows the ridge topography.
The vertical face of the kuruwa (compound) is reinforced with stone to create an impressive appearance from outside.
【Temba (top surface) of masonry describes an arc】
【To the second kuruwa (compound)】
Advancing further toward the center of the mountain castle.
Above the kuruwa (compounds) sandwiched between cliffs,
foundation stones that show the remnants of buildings can be seen here and there.
【Looking down on the second kuruwa from the first kuruwa】
【Remaining masonry on the side of the second kuruwa】
【To the first kuruwa (part 1)】
【To the first kuruwa (part 2)】
We have arrived at the shukaku (main building of the castle.) We hope you have enjoyed this mountain castle tour.
