Sunomata Castle stands at the confluence of the Sai and Nagara rivers, in the city of Ōgaki in Gifu Prefecture. It’s a typical Japanese castle with a strong foundation of stone and a multi-storied wooden building on top with a gable roof and decorated eaves. As far as castles go, Sunomata is very small, but it has a big story. Legend has it that the Sunomata Castle was built during the course of a single night.

Sunomata Castle, also known as Ichiya Castle (or the “one night castle”), was constructed in the mid-16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the generals of the powerful feudal lord Oda Nobunaga, during the buildup to the siege of Inabayama Castle in 1567.

Sunomata Castle in Ōgaki. Photo: mTaira/Shutterstock.com