The remains of a flatland-hill castle (hirayamashiro) built around 1596 (Bunkoku 5) by Konishi Yukinaga, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It served as the main stronghold of Yukinaga, who jointly governed Higo Province together with Kato Kiyomasa. The castle was abandoned after Yukinaga's defeat as a member of the Western Army at the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), yet the robust stone walls and dry…

Uto Castle is a hirayama-style castle (built on a low hill) constructed around 1596 by Konishi Yukinaga, a retainer of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Having distinguished himself during the invasions of Korea (Bunroku-Keicho campaigns), Yukinaga was granted the southern half of Higo Province, which…