Koriyama Castle Ruins

[National Historic Site, Japan's 100 Great Castles] Elevation 390m, relative height 190m, 1.1km east-west, 0.9km north-south. Koriyama Castle, the residence of the Sengoku warlord Mori Motonari, is located north of the confluence of the Enokawa and Tajihigawa rivers, and is one of the largest mountain castles in the Chugoku region, overlooking the Yoshida Basin. Numerous enclosures have been built using the ridges that radiate from the main enclosure. The date of construction is unknown, but in the mid-15th century, it existed as the Mori clan's main castle on an independent ridge in the southeast of Koriyama (the main castle), and it is believed that the entire mountain was fortified during Motonari's time (mid-16th century). Motonari lived on the mountaintop, known as Takakasa, and his main vassals were stationed within the castle. Later, during the time of his grandson Terumoto, repairs were made and the castle town was developed. It is believed that Koriyama Castle continued to be maintained even after the clan's base was moved to Hiroshima Castle in 1591, but it was abandoned after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 when the Mori clan was transferred to Bungo and Choshu provinces.