# Yonago Castle

- **Country:** Japan
- **Coordinates:** 35.425009, 133.324454
- **Location Text:** Yonago, Tottori

Yonago Castle, also historically known as Kume Castle or Minatoyama Castle, is a ruined Japanese castle located on a hill facing the Sea of Japan in the city of Yonago, Tottori Prefecture. While a small fortification was originally constructed on the nearby Mount Iinoyama in 1467 by Yamana Muneyuki, the site as it is recognized today was established in 1591. It was rebuilt and expanded by Kikkawa Hiroie, a prominent grandson of the famous warlord Mori Motonari. Hiroie developed the structure into his primary residence and strategic stronghold to control both land routes and maritime commerce within the Sanin region. The castle represents typical Japanese castle architecture of the late Sengoku and early Edo periods, featuring extensive stone walls and a multi-story tower complex designed for regional defense.

The castle holds significant historical importance due to the political maneuvering of its builder during the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Although nominally aligned with forces opposing Tokugawa Ieyasu, Kikkawa Hiroie secretly colluded with the future shogun. By deliberately delaying his troops under the pretense of eating lunch, he ensured a Tokugawa victory while simultaneously saving his own Mori clan from total destruction. Following the battle, despite losing his personal territories, Hiroie's actions allowed the Mori clan to retain some holdings. The castle itself was completed in 1601 under Nakamura Kazutada after Hiroie's departure, but it never saw major combat.

Currently, Yonago Castle exists only as ruins, having been demolished centuries ago. However, the site remains culturally vital and was officially designated as a National Historic Site of Japan in 2006. Visitors today can explore the remnants of the honmaru base and impressive stone walls that survive on the hilltop. The location offers panoramic views of the surrounding city and the sea, serving as a public park and a monument to the complex feudal history of western Japan. It stands as a quiet testament to the diplomatic intrigue that shaped the Edo period, preserving the legacy of the Kikkawa and Mori clans for modern observers.

![Photo of Yonago Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Yonago_Castle%2C_honmaru-1.jpg)

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