Mountaintop

From Jcastle.info

Mountaintop Castles / 山城

This is a subtype of Castle Type

Mountaintop Castles were the predominant castle type prior to the Edo Period and most common during the Sengoku Period. During the more peaceful times they were often used as a lookout point or relay point for smoke signals and to watch major roads into one's territory. People typically did not live in Sengoku Period mountaintop castles. Logistically they were not well suitable for governing or living so lord's would often have a fortified home in a more reasonable location with one or more nearby mountaintop castles where the lord and his family and retainers could flee to during times of unrest.

The common features of mountaintop castles are trenches and ditches of various types used to impede the movement of attackers and create lines of fire to more easily shoot arrows at the attackers. Mountaintop Castles may have also used some earthen embankments to create barriers around baileys and they would have also carved the mountainsides to make them more steep (kirigishi). Stonework was mostly used to shore up the sides of baileys to create more open spaces and prevent erosion until the castles of the latter Sengoku Period when Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi started building mountain castles with much more stonework. Their power struggles mostly focused on central and western so that is where you see the most Sengoku Period mountaintop castle stonework. The Nagano area also has some fascinating stonework at mountaintop castles, that developed independently from the Nobunaga-Hideyoshi influence.

Castles with Mountaintop Castles
  1. Aida Kokuzousan Castle
  2. Aida Kokuzousanminami Fort
  3. Aida Kokuzousannanseioneno Castle
  4. Aida Kokuzousannishi Fort
  5. Aimiyamamonomi Fort
  6. Akechi Osayama Castle
  7. Akiba Fort
  8. Akiyoshi Fort
  9. Akozu Castle
  10. Akutagawasan Castle
  11. Amabiki Castle
  12. Amagajo
  13. Amanari Castle
  14. Ametoya Castle
  15. Amidagamine Castle (Yamashiro)
  16. Aoiyama Castle
  17. Aoyagi Castle
  18. Aoyama Castle
  19. Aoyama Castle (Nagato)
  20. Arashi Castle
  21. Arato Castle
  22. Aratoshou Castle
  23. Arayama Castle
  24. Arikoyama Castle
  25. Aruga Castle
  26. Asaba Castle
  27. Asahi Castle (Owari)
  28. Asahiyama Castle
  29. Ashigara Castle
  30. Ashigara Teraba Fort
  31. Asuke Castle
  32. Atagoyama Noroshidai
  33. Aya Castle
  34. Ayukawa Castle (Koka)
  35. Azumi Aoki Castle
  36. Azumi Iwahara Castle
  37. Azumi Nakamura Castle
  38. Azumi Nishimaki Castle
  39. Azumi Nishiyama Castle
  40. Azumi Ogiwara Castle
  41. Azumi Ogura Castle
  42. Azumi Oshino Castle
  43. Azumi Sano Castle
  44. Azumi Shibutami Castle
  45. Azumi Shironomine Castle
  46. Azumi Takisawa Castle
  47. Azumi Tanoiri Castle
  48. Azumi Taya Castle
  49. Azumi Uyama Castle
  50. Azumi Uzuhashi Castle
  51. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
  52. Busetsu Castle
  53. Chausudate
  54. Chihaya Castle
  55. Chiisagata Kemi Castle
  56. Chiisagata Komaki Castle
  57. Chiisagata Komakikamino Castle
  58. Chiisagata Nakano Castle
  59. Chiisagata Nakao Castle
  60. Chiisagata Nishiyama Castle
  61. Chiisagata Shirayama Castle
  62. Chiisagata Yashima Castle
  63. Chikatou Fort
  64. Chikuma Asahi Castle
  65. Chikuma Asaka Castle
  66. Chikuma Chausuyama Castle
  67. Chikuma Higashijou Castle
  68. Chikuma Hime Castle
  69. Chikuma Kakiage Castle
  70. Chikuma Kattori Castle
  71. Chikuma Kemi Castle
  72. Chikuma Koshikou Castle
  73. Chikuma Koya Castle
  74. Chikuma Moto Castle
  75. Chikuma Motoyama Castle
  76. Chikuma Narukami Castle
  77. Chikuma Nishijou Castle
  78. Chikuma Osaka Castle
  79. Chikuma Samine Castle
  80. Chikuma Saruga Castle
  81. Chikuma Sasaga Castle
  82. Chikuma Sasano Castle
  83. Chikuma Sasazawa Castle
  84. Chikuma Takayama Castle
  85. Chikuma Takeda Castle
  86. Chikuma Tazawa Castle
  87. Chikuma Ueda Castle
  88. Chikuma Uenoyama Castle
  89. Chikuma Yagura Castle
  90. Chikuma Yamazaki Fort
  91. Chinen Castle
  92. Daikan'yama Fort
  93. Deura Castle
  94. Dokanyama
  95. Eboshigata Castle
  96. Echizen Ohno Castle
  97. Egawa Fort
  98. Enryakuji
  99. Enryakuji Amidadou Fort
  100. Enryakuji Higashitani Fort
  101. Enryakuji Joudoin Fort
  102. Enryakuji Kitatani Fort
  103. Enryakuji Monjurou Fort
  104. Enryakuji Nishitani Fort
  105. Enryakuji Shakadou Fort
  106. Fukayama Castle (Suruga)
  107. Fukutake Castle (Chikuzen)
  108. Fumimichi Castle
  109. Funaoka Castle
  110. Funaokayama Castle
  111. Funayama Castle
  112. Fusumada Castle
  113. Futamata Castle
  114. Futoge Castle
  115. Futoh'yama Castle
  116. Gakiyama Noroshidai
  117. Ganjaku Castle
  118. Gassan Toda Castle
  119. Genbao Castle
  120. Gifu Castle
  121. Gobara Castle
  122. Gokan Castle
  123. Goryu Castle
  124. Gouda Fort
  125. Gujo Hachiman Castle
  126. Hachikenchōja Castle
  127. Hachiman'yama Castle (Tanba)
  128. Hachioji Castle
  129. Haga Castle
  130. Hagikura Fort
  131. Haibara Castle
  132. Haiyama Castle
  133. Hakota Castle (Kozuke)
  134. Hakusan Castle
  135. Hakusan Castle (Harima)
  136. Hamada Castle
  137. Hanazono Castle
  138. Hanazono Mitake Castle
  139. Haneo Castle
  140. Hanishina Motai Castle
  141. Hanishina Takeyama Castle
  142. Hanishina Terao Castle
  143. Hasedo Castle
  144. Hatayama Castle
  145. Hatsuzawa Castle
  146. Hayaotoshi Castle
  147. Hayashikojo Castle
  148. Hayashiohjo Castle
  149. Hieinoyama Fort
  150. Hijiyama Castle (Iga)
  151. Hikaru Castle
  152. Hiki Castle
  153. Hikida Castle
  154. Himega Castle (Mikawa)
  155. Hirai Kanayama Castle
  156. Hirakura Castle
  157. Hirase Castle
  158. Hirase Kitano Castle
  159. Hirase Noroshidai
  160. Hirose Castle (Hida)
  161. Hisawa Castle
  162. Hishakuyama Castle
  163. Hiyama Castle
  164. Hoshigasaki Castle
  165. Houshouji Fort
  166. Hyakusaiji Castle
  167. Ibarayama Castle
  168. Ibayama Castle
  169. Ibikitagata Castle
  170. Ibuka Castle
  171. Ichigousan Castle
  172. Ichijodani Castle
  173. Ichijojiyama Castle
  174. Ichinomiya Castle
  175. Iimori Castle
  176. Iinawa Castle
  177. Ikeda Castle (Mino)
  178. Ima Castle (Mino)
  179. Ina Ichinodaira Castle
  180. Ina Konishi Castle
  181. Ina Korin Castle
  182. Ina Koujin'yama Castle
  183. Ina Maruyama Fort
  184. Ina Nagayama Castle
  185. Ina Ou Castle
  186. Ina Ryugasaki Castle
  187. Ina Wada Castle
  188. Ina Yokokawa Castle
  189. Ina Yokoyama Castle
  190. Inaniwa Castle
  191. Inoue Castle
  192. Inukai Castle
  193. Ioto Castle
  194. Ioyama Castle
  195. Ishibayama Castle (Omi)
  196. Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle
  197. Isobe Castle
  198. Itagakiyama Noroshidai
  199. Iwabitsu Castle
  200. Iwadono Castle
  201. Iwakiri Castle
  202. Iwakuni Castle
  203. Iwakura Castle
  204. Iwamura Castle
  205. Iwaseyama Castle
  206. Iwaya Castle
  207. Izaki Castle
  208. Izu Ohdairashin Castle
  209. Jikouin Fort
  210. Jinbagahara Castle
  211. Jofukuji Castle
  212. Jouhikage Fort
  213. Juuouzan Fort
  214. Kaesa Castle
  215. Kagikakemonomi Fort
  216. Kai Asahiyama Castle
  217. Kai Nakano Castle
  218. Kakegawako Castle
  219. Kakunodate Castle
  220. Kamagatake Castle
  221. Kamaha Castle
  222. Kameyama Castle (Kii)
  223. Kamigishimoto Castle (Omi)
  224. Kamitohno Castle
  225. Kamogatake Castle
  226. Kanaiyama Castle
  227. Kanao Yogaisan Castle
  228. Kanayama Castle
  229. Kanayama Castle (Echigo)
  230. Kanbara Castle
  231. Kanegasaki Castle
  232. Kaneyama Castle (Mino)
  233. Kaneyama Castle (Mutsu)
  234. Kanmuriyama Castle (Bitchu)
  235. Kannonji Castle
  236. Karakai Castle
  237. Karasaki Castle
  238. Karasawayama Castle
  239. Karasuyama Castle
  240. Karatoriya Castle
  241. Karidako Castle
  242. Karidaoh Castle
  243. Kariyahara Castle
  244. Kasama Castle
  245. Kasane Castle
  246. Kaseyama Castle
  247. Kasugayama Castle
  248. Kasumi Castle
  249. Katsunuma Castle
  250. Katsurayama Castle
  251. Katsuren Castle
  252. Katsuyama Castle (Echigo)
  253. Katsuyama Castle (Nagato)
  254. Katsuyama Castle (Tsuru)
  255. Kawamura Castle
  256. Kawanoe Castle
  257. Kazurayama Castle
  258. Keirozan Castle
  259. Kibune Castle
  260. Kikuchi Castle
  261. Kinojo
  262. Kirarazaka Castle
  263. Kiridouzan Noroshidai
  264. Kirihara Castle
  265. Kiso Fukushima Castle
  266. Kiso Komaruyama Castle
  267. Kiso Uenodan Castle
  268. Kita Tsuda Castle
  269. Kita Wakamiko Castle
  270. Kitanosho Castle (Omi)
  271. Kitasudayama Castle (Omi)
  272. Koiwatake Castle
  273. Kojima Castle (Hida)
  274. Kokururi Castle
  275. Kokuzousan Noroshidai
  276. Komaki Castle
  277. Komakijou Ohte Fort
  278. Komasawa Castle
  279. Komatsu Castle (Sagami)
  280. Komatsuyama Noroshidai
  281. Konosumiyama Castle
  282. Koori Nishiyama Castle
  283. Koraku Castle
  284. Koriyama Castle (Hiroshima)
  285. Koshibami Castle
  286. Koshigoe Castle
  287. Kosuge Castle
  288. Koujin'o Castle
  289. Koujin'yama Noroshidai
  290. Kounomine Castle
  291. Kouyama Castle (Bingo)
  292. Kouyama Castle (Nagato)
  293. Koya Castle
  294. Kozutsumi Castle
  295. Kubodera Castle
  296. Kuboe Castle (Omi)
  297. Kuboyashikishi Castle (Koka)
  298. Kukuri Castle
  299. Kuma Castle
  300. Kuniyoshi Castle
  301. Kunou Castle
  302. Kurahone Castle
  303. Kurobane Castle
  304. Kuroi Castle
  305. Kurokawashi Castle (Koka)
  306. Kuruma Castle
  307. Kururi Castle
  308. Kuwabara Castle
  309. Kuwagatahara Noroshidai
  310. Magome Castle
  311. Manago Castle
  312. Mariko Castle
  313. Marikoyama Fort
  314. Marune Fort
  315. Masugata Castle (Musashi)
  316. Masugatayama Castle
  317. Matsudai Castle (Echigo)
  318. Matsudaira Castle
  319. Matsugasaki Castle (Yamashiro)
  320. Matsuida Castle
  321. Matsukura Castle
  322. Matsuo Castle
  323. Matsuo Castle (Mino)
  324. Matsuyama Castle (Gunma)
  325. Meiseireijin Fort
  326. Michibayashi Fort
  327. Michikusa Fort
  328. Miharu Castle
  329. Mikkaichiba Castle
  330. Mikumo Castle (Koka)
  331. Minagawa Castle
  332. Minakuchi Okayama Castle
  333. Minami Majino Castle
  334. Minami Tsuda Castle
  335. Minami Wakamiko Castle
  336. Minegadou Castle
  337. Minochi Asahi Castle
  338. Minochi Masugata Castle
  339. Misayama Castle
  340. Miyahara Castle
  341. Mizuban Castle
  342. Mochizuki Castle (Koka)
  343. Mochizukishi Castle (Koka)
  344. Moji Castle
  345. Moriyama Castle
  346. Moriyama Castle (Izu)
  347. Motosu Castle
  348. Mukaihaguroyama Castle
  349. Mumo Castle
  350. Murakami Ara Castle
  351. Murakami Hanagoya Castle
  352. Murakami Hime Castle
  353. Murakami Iizuna Castle
  354. Murakami Iwasaki Castle
  355. Murakami Kamei Castle
  356. Murakami Kashiwayama Castle
  357. Murakami Katsurao Castle
  358. Murakami Kemurino Castle
  359. Murakami Kokuzousan Castle
  360. Murakami Komaruyama Fort
  361. Murakami Mochikoshi Castle
  362. Murakami Monomi Castle
  363. Murakami Takatsuya Castle
  364. Murakami Torikoya Castle
  365. Murakami Toyo Castle
  366. Murakami Tsubame Castle
  367. Murakami Tsumi Castle
  368. Murakami Ushibuse Castle
  369. Murakami Wagou Castle
  370. Myogi Castle
  371. Myogiyama Noroshidai
  372. Nabekura Castle
  373. Nabeyamajou Fort
  374. Naegi Castle
  375. Nagabayashi Fort
  376. Nagaikeyama Fort
  377. Nagakubo Castle
  378. Nagamine Fort
  379. Nagaune Fort
  380. Nagayama Castle (Suo)
  381. Nagurumi Castle
  382. Nakaara Castle
  383. Nakagusuku Castle
  384. Nakajouikenotaira Fort
  385. Nakanojin Castle
  386. Nakao Castle (Yamashiro)
  387. Nakatou Castle
  388. Nakayama Fort
  389. Nakayamaniyama Fort
  390. Nakijin Castle
  391. Nanao Castle
  392. Narisawa Castle
  393. Narisawa Noroshidai
  394. Nata Castle
  395. Natsumichi Fort
  396. Nechi Castle
  397. Nechi Kamijouyama Castle
  398. Negoya Castle
  399. Nezumiana Castle
  400. Nihonmatsu Castle
  401. Niitakayama Castle
  402. Niiya Castle (Kouzuke)
  403. Nijo Castle (Tochigi)
  404. Nirayama Castle
  405. Nishi Aoki Castle
  406. Nishijou Castle
  407. Nishikata Castle
  408. Nochiseyama Castle
  409. Nomura Fort
  410. Nosezakanishi Castle
  411. Nouken Kurokoma Fort
  412. Nozaki Castle
  413. Numata Castle
  414. Nyoigatake Castle
  415. Nyuunomi Castle
  416. Obama Castle (Mutsu)
  417. Obama Domain Kamomegasaki Battery
  418. Obaraichiba Castle
  419. Obiki Castle
  420. Odani Castle
  421. Odayama Castle (Aizu)
  422. Odoriba Fort
  423. Ogimachi Castle
  424. Ogoe Castle
  425. Ogura Castle
  426. Ogyu Castle
  427. Oh'eda Castle
  428. Oh'ikemurayama Castle
  429. Ohdate
  430. Ohga Castle
  431. Ohkawarashi Castle (Koka)
  432. Ohmine Castle
  433. Ohmori Castle
  434. Ohsaki Castle
  435. Ohsakide Castle
  436. Ohyama Dejiro
  437. Oishi Castle (Bitchu)
  438. Oka Castle
  439. Okayama Jinjiro
  440. Oko Castle
  441. Omi Castle
  442. Omifuru Castle
  443. Oniba Castle
  444. Onjouyama Fort
  445. Ono Castle
  446. Onotougemonomi Fort
  447. Oogo Castle
  448. Ori Castle
  449. Ougidairayama Castle
  450. Rikan Castle
  451. Saimyoji Castle
  452. Sakakikitajou Castle
  453. Saku Hanaoka Castle
  454. Saku Hitomoshi Castle
  455. Saku Inariyama Castle
  456. Saku Kaize Castle
  457. Saku Miyanoue Castle
  458. Saku Mochizuki Castle
  459. Saku Teshirozuka Castle
  460. Sakurabasamade Castle
  461. Sakurasawa Fort
  462. Samegai Castle
  463. Samizu Castle
  464. Sanada Chifuruya Castle
  465. Sanada Isezaki Castle
  466. Sanada Negoya Castle
  467. Sanada Seba Castle
  468. Sanada Yazawa Castle
  469. Sanada Yazawashi Castle
  470. Sanadahonjo Castle
  471. Sannohe Castle
  472. Sannou Yakata
  473. Sarashina Osaka Castle
  474. Sarukoya Fort
  475. Sasao Castle
  476. Sashiki Castle
  477. Sasou Castle
  478. Sawayama Castle
  479. Sekidousan Castle
  480. Sendai Castle
  481. Sendatsu Castle
  482. Shiga Castle
  483. Shigiyama Castle
  484. Shimashi Ozato Castle
  485. Shimofuri Fort
  486. Shimotsui Castle
  487. Shinagura Castle
  488. Shinano Chausuyama Castle
  489. Shioda Castle
  490. Shioda Higashi Fort
  491. Shioda Koubouyama Fort
  492. Shioda Nishi Fort
  493. Shioda Nishibouruigun
  494. Shiozaki Castle
  495. Shiozaki Miyama Fort
  496. Shiozakishin Castle
  497. Shirahata Castle
  498. Shirasawa Fort
  499. Shiratori Castle
  500. Shirokoma Castle
... further results
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