Kikuchi Castle (鞠智城), Kumamoto

On 24 July 2010, after we left Mount Aso, we were visited to the ruin of Kikuchi Castle. It is a type of mountaintop castle.

History

In reaction to the growing strength of the Chinese in the 7th century, the Yamato Imperial Court began building some defenses and early warning fortifications in Kyushu. Kikuchi Castle is thought to have been built to provide logistical support and reinforcements for Kii and Ono Castles. As the threat from the mainland waned, so did the necessity of these castles and they eventually fell into disrepair. In 1997 a grain storehouse and barracks were reconstructed and in 1999 the octagonal tower was rebuilt. The park was designated a National Historical Site in 2004. Source:www.jcastle.info The octagonal tower (left) and grain storehouse and barracks (right). The octagonal tower