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