6 Castles in Yamaguchi worth your time

Explore ancient mountain castle ruins and a historic shrine, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• An ancient mountain castle, designated a National Historic Site.
• Built on a mountain, its walls encircle the peak.
• Founded at an unknown time, now preserved ruins.
• Includes Iwakisan Shrine, a National Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• Castle walls, approximately 2.6 kilometers long.
• Two gates: an east gate and a north gate.
• Stone rows, originally buried within earthworks.
• Earthworks, once about 8 meters high.
• Iwakisan Shrine, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Views from 362 meters elevation within a natural park.

Read more about Iwakisan Kōgoishi

Iwakuni Castle is a reconstructed Edo period castle with a scenic ropeway ride.

What it is

• Japanese castle in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Residence of the Iwakuni domain in the early Edo period.
• Built between 1601 and 1608.
• Reconstructed in 1962 after demolition in 1615.

What to see

• Four-story, six-floor main keep.
• Kintaikyo Bridge connected the castle town and castle.
• Former residence is now Kikkou Park.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

Getting there

• Ropeway connects the mountaintop and Kikkou Park.

Official site

kankou.iwakuni-city.net

Read more about Iwakuni Castle

Explore the ruins of a powerful clan's castle residence, now a National Historic Site.

What it is

• Former castle residence of the Ōuchi clan.
• Built by Ōuchi Hiroyo in the mid-1400s.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1959.
• Selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.

What to see

• Site of a large residence, 160m by 170m.
• Remains of moats and earthworks from the castle.
• Restored pond garden and dry landscape garden.
• Archaeological excavation sites revealing past structures.

Read more about Ōuchi-shi Yakata

Explore a mountain castle ruin with impressive stone walls and a rich samurai history.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, also called Kōnomine-jō.
• Construction began in 1556, completed by the Mōri clan.
• A nationally designated historic site since 1959.
• Abolished in 1638, later a fallback for Yamaguchi Castle.

What to see

• Excavated stone walls and foundation stones.
• Located on Mount Kōnomine, 338 meters above sea level.
• Selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.

Read more about Kōnomine Castle

Explore Hagi Castle ruins, a National Historic Site and World Heritage component, for its historical significance.

What it is

• Hagi Castle was built by the Mori clan in 1604.
• It served as the base for the Choshu Domain for over 250 years.
• The castle site is a designated National Historic Site.
• It is also known as Shizuki Castle.

What to see

• View the remaining stone walls and moats.
• The castle consists of a flatland and a mountaintop castle.
• The castle town is a World Cultural Heritage component.

Official site

www.hagishi.com

Read more about Hagi Castle

Explore Kameyama Castle ruins, a 15th-century hilltop fort with a unique turtle-shaped foundation.

What it is

• A hirayamajiro type of Japanese castle.
• Built in 1446 by Washizu Hirotada.
• Constructed as a frontline base for the Washizu clan.
• Named for the hill's turtle-like shape.

What to see

• The castle's eastern side has an existing moat.
• The site is now a thicket on a 24-meter hill.

Getting there

• 13-minute walk west from JR Nagatoshi Station.

Address

山口県長門市東深川1324 Map

Read more about Nagato Kameyama Castle