Yamanaka Castle Ruins

Mishima, Japan, Japan

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Yamanaka Castle Ruins in Mishima, Japan, are the remains of a mountain fortress built in the late 1500s by the Hōjō clan to defend their main stronghold at Odawara during the Sengoku period.

The castle was constructed using earthworks and unique moat designs, such as the shoji-bori and une-bori, which are rare in Japan and highlight the technical skill of the Hōjō builders. In 1590, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaign to unify Japan, the castle was attacked by a massive army and fell quickly despite its strong defenses.

After the battle, the castle was abandoned and never rebuilt, leaving only earthworks, moats, and remnants of its walls. Today, the site is a historical park and a National Historic Site, recognized for its significance and as one of Japan’s 100 famous castles, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s feudal past and the dramatic events of the late Warring States period.