# Miyao Castle

- **Country:** Japan
- **Location Text:** site, Miyajima, Hiroshima

Miyao Castle is a historic fortification located on the island of Itsukushima, also known as Miyajima, within Hatsukaichi city in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Constructed in 1555 by the renowned warlord Mōri Motonari, the structure is technically classified as a hill-on-plains castle, though it functions more accurately as a strategic hill fort. Unlike traditional Japanese castles of the era, it lacked a central donjon and did not serve as a noble residence. Instead, it was built rapidly over the course of one month using earth, wood, and stone by approximately one thousand laborers. The site was chosen for its visibility and vulnerability, situated on a thirty-meter hill near the main shrine to overlook the channel between the island and the mainland.

The historical significance of Miyao Castle lies entirely in its role as a calculated decoy during the Sengoku Period. Motonari erected the seemingly weak fortress specifically to bait his rival, Sue Harukata, into a trap following a period of intense clan conflict. This strategy culminated in the famous Battle of Miyajima in 1555, where Motonari's forces successfully defeated the heavily outnumbered Sue army. The castle itself was not intended for long-term occupation but served as the critical pivot point for one of the most celebrated tactical victories in Japanese military history, marking a major shift in power within the Aki Province.

Today, the original structures of Miyao Castle no longer stand, yet the site remains accessible to the public twenty-four hours a day. Visitors can explore the location of the main courtyard and walk the grounds where the historic battle took place. While the wooden buildings have long since disappeared, the earthworks and stone foundations offer a tangible connection to the past. Controlled by the local municipality of Hatsukaichi, the area serves as an open-air historical landmark rather than a reconstructed tourist attraction, allowing guests to contemplate the strategic genius of Motonari amidst the natural landscape of Mount Misen.

![Photo of Miyao Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Miyao_castle_honmaru.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyao_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)