岩倉上蔵城

Slipping through time, we find ourselves at Iwakura Jōrakujō in Kyoto. This isn’t a grand castle like Nijo. Iwakura Jōrakujō is a forgotten mountain fortress. It rests quietly behind Jissoin Temple, whispering tales of the powerful Yamamoto clan. Details about this clan and their castle are shrouded in mystery. Yet, climbing the narrow path, you can almost feel their presence. The main section of Iwakura Jōrakujō stretches westward. Several leveled areas branch off the main ridge. Remnants of structures cling to the slopes, hinting at a past life. Imagine warriors patrolling these ramparts, keeping watch over their domain. The site has been left to the elements. Erosion has softened the edges. Ditches are shallow, and earthen walls are barely discernible. Still, you can trace the outline of this once-proud fortress. The southern part of the castle is quite wide. It ends abruptly, perhaps swallowed by the mountain itself. A small path from Kita-yama Byoin Hospital seems to lead directly to this forgotten corner of the castle. This remote, overgrown fortress offers a unique glimpse into Kyoto’s hidden history. Iwakura Jōrakujō may lack the polished beauty of other sites. But its quiet decay holds a different kind of charm. It invites you to imagine a time long past, when the Yamamoto clan ruled these heights.