Hidden away on Mount Kinojo in Soja City, Okayama, this mysterious ancient mountain castle feels like stepping through time into an ancient Japanese fortress. Kinojo Castle was built in the late 7th century. At the time, the situation on the Korean Peninsula was unstable, and after Japan was defeated in the Battle of Baekgang in 663, defensive structures were built across northern Kyushu and along the Seto Inland Sea in preparation for a possible invasion by the allied forces of Tang China and Silla. Kinojo Castle is believed to have been one of them.
The drive to the parking lot on the mountain includes a stretch of narrow road, so be especially careful. After arriving at the visitor center, it's about a 10-minute walk to the famous West Gate ruins. As you walk slowly along the mountain trail, there are observation decks where you can look out over the West Gate and the surrounding mountains. Everything is lush and green in summer, and standing up high in the mountain breeze with the expansive view in front of you feels especially refreshing. Unlike Kyoto and Osaka, it isn't packed with crowds, giving it a peaceful and mysterious atmosphere instead.
![[Okayama Travel Guide] Enjoy Its Charms with a Recommended Model Course & Useful Travel Tips!](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/21000/20682/20240422_155559_6646ecb9_w640.webp)