Japan Castle Atlas

Mori Tadamasa

森忠政

Youngest brother of Mori Ranmaru, who died in the Honnoji Incident. In 1603 he became lord of all Mimasaka Province, worth 186,500 koku, and spent 13 years building Tsuyama Castle and its town.

Years: 1570–1634

Historical record

Story

The top floor of Tsuyama Castle's keep held a Western-style bell that Hosokawa Tadaoki, lord of Kokura, gave Tadamasa to mark the castle's completion. It hung there until the keep was torn down in 1874.

Connected castles

Tiers of stone walls wrapping Kakuzan hill, with the white Bitchu Yagura (rebuilt in wood in 2005) on the top level. December 2009.

In-depth article

Tsuyama, Okayama

Tsuyama Castle

津山城

Only one turret stands today, yet the three tiers of stone walls wrapping an entire hill still show how big this castle was.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 67CastleHilltop

663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons

built the castle; first lord of TsuyamaRecord source: article

Taiko-mon Gate with its wooden bridge over the inner moat (September 2010): the 11.8 m turret gate behind and the Hashizume-mon gate in front, both restored in 2004.

In-depth article

Nagano, Nagano

Matsushiro Castle

松代城

Takeda Shingen built it as his front line in the Kawanakajima wars, and the Sanada family later lived here for 250 years.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 24CastleFlatland

baku13CC BY-SA 2.1 jpWikimedia Commons

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia

Tiers of stone walls wrapping Kakuzan hill, with the white Bitchu Yagura (rebuilt in wood in 2005) on the top level. December 2009.

In-depth article

Tsuyama, Okayama

Tsuyama Castle

津山城

Only one turret stands today, yet the three tiers of stone walls wrapping an entire hill still show how big this castle was.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 67CastleHilltop

663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: jokaku

Tiers of stone walls wrapping Kakuzan hill, with the white Bitchu Yagura (rebuilt in wood in 2005) on the top level. December 2009.

In-depth article

Tsuyama, Okayama

Tsuyama Castle

津山城

Only one turret stands today, yet the three tiers of stone walls wrapping an entire hill still show how big this castle was.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 67CastleHilltop

663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia

The Edo-higan cherry in full bloom (March 2010), a Yorii Town Natural Monument 18 m tall and thought to be over 150 years old.

In-depth article

Yorii, Saitama

Hachigata Castle

鉢形城

A Hojo stronghold whose earthen walls were faced with river stones stacked like stairs.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 22CastleHilltop

MocchyPublic domainWikimedia Commons

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia

Sources

1
津山城天守の知られざる内部(津山まちじゅう博物館)Checked: 2026-10-03
2
解説津山城(津山まちじゅう博物館)Checked: 2026-10-03
3
森忠政(補助資料・Wikipedia日本語版)Checked: 2026-10-03