This original Edo period castle is not only the highest of all Japan's castles but it is also the shortest. The two-story main tower is accompanied by several turrets which all sitting atop their stone walls. It’s a long, long walk to the top of the mountain but worth it.
It was most unfortunate that major repairs were going on during my visit to the castle. As can be seen in the first picture, the two-story main tower is covered in scaffolding. In addition to restoration of the buildings of the castle, work was being done on several sections of the stone walls.
Timeline:
1240
Akiba Shigenobu constructed a castle on a nearby peak.
1331
The castle was expanded upon to include its current site.
1575
The castle falls to the Mōri clan.
1600
The Nibori clan become lords of the area after the battle of Sekigahara.
1617
The Ikeda clan were transferred here.
1641
The Mizunoya clan were tranferred here.
1695
The Ando clan were tranferred here.
1711
The Ishikawa clan were transferred here.
1744
The Itakura clan were transferred here. Eight generations of the Itakura clan ruled this castle until its eventual decommissioning.
