[Takeda Castle Ruins, Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture] How to enjoy the spectacular "Castle in the Sky"
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Takeda Castle, located in Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture, is also known as the "Castle in the Sky" because of the fantastic sight of the castle ruins floating in the sea of clouds. It is said to be a spectacular sight that everyone wants to see at least once in their lifetime, and we will introduce it...
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We are a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern part of Kinki, including Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockle, rock oysters, and white squid in summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit, sand dune melon. It is an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. We would be happy to visit the vast Northern Kinki region many times and provide information that will help you take a railway journey.
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Table of Contents
- About Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Takeda Castle Ruins Access Map (Ritsuunkyo)
- Spectacular views of Takeda Castle ruins "Castle in the Sky"
- Tips for being lucky enough to see the sea of clouds
- Viewing spot for the sea of clouds
About Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture
Asago City is located in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture. The area is dotted with valuable historical and cultural heritage from ancient times to modern times, such as the ruins of Takeda Castle, one of Japan's 100 most famous castles, the Chasuriyama Tomb, a circular burial mound that is one of the largest in the Kinki region and dates back to the 5th century, and industrial heritage sites such as the Ikuno Silver Mine. The entire area is like a museum.
Access to Asago City
Please click here for information on how to get to Asago City.
Takeda Castle Ruins Access Map (Ritsuunkyo)
Spectacular views of Takeda Castle ruins "Castle in the Sky"
In the fall, fog forms at the base of the Takeda Castle ruins in the early morning, and the entire castle is enveloped in a sea of clouds. The fantastic sight of the castle ruins floating in the sea of clouds makes this a spectacular spot known as the "Castle in the Sky." Many tourists from all over the country visit to see this spectacular view, which is said to be something everyone wants to see at least once in their lifetime.
Tips for being lucky enough to see the sea of clouds
Conditions for the occurrence of a sea of clouds
The sea of clouds is caused by fog at the foot of the mountains. Air that is warmed during the day cools at night, creating evaporation fog. This fog accumulates in the lower parts of the mountains, and when viewed from higher elevations, it looks like a sea of clouds. This fog is more likely to occur when there is a large difference in temperature between daytime and nighttime, and humidity also seems to be a factor (a rough guideline is 10°C or higher).
*These are conditions that make the sea of clouds more likely to occur, but they do not guarantee that the sea of clouds will actually occur.*
season
Mid-September to early December *Although it can be seen very rarely in other seasons, autumn (especially late autumn) is the most common time for it to occur.
time
From dawn until around 8am.
conditions
1. High humidity and sufficient radiative cooling.
2. It's a clear, sunny day.
3. There is a large difference in temperature (10 degrees or more) between the previous day's daytime and early morning on the day of the event.
4. The wind is weak.
Because it is a natural phenomenon, there is no guarantee that you will be able to see the sea of clouds even if all the conditions are met.
Equipment for viewing the sea of clouds
1. Flashlight: There are no electric lights at Takeda Castle Ruins or Tateunkyo Gorge. I will never forget this.
2. Raincoat: The sea of clouds is a mass of water vapor, so you need a raincoat to avoid getting enveloped in the clouds and getting soaked.
3. Cold weather gear: This is likely to occur when it gets very cold in the morning, so the summit can drop below zero, so cold weather gear is essential. Even if it's hot while you're walking, your body will get cold when you're waiting at the viewing spot, so it's best to wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off. It's also recommended to bring warm drinks.
Important points to note for your enjoyment
others
Please refer to this the day before you go to see the sea of clouds.
Please also check the weather forecast for dense fog warnings for southern Tajima or Asago city. If a dense fog warning is issued, it is possible.
In addition, the Asabura homepage's "Automatic Sea of Clouds Forecast" (from 4pm the day before) is a groundbreaking system that predicts whether or not a sea of clouds will appear based on various conditions on the day before.
Also, please refer to the following website just before you leave in the morning. The site provides live broadcasts of the Takeda Castle ruins 24 hours a day. You can see what the Takeda Castle ruins look like at that time.
However, there are no guarantees when dealing with nature, and the results can vary. The most important thing is to be lucky.
Viewing spot for the sea of clouds
There are two main viewing points. From Tateunkyo Gorge, you can see a view that is truly described as a "castle in the sky," and from Takeda Castle Ruins, you can see a fantastic view of the clouds at your feet.
How to see the castle ruins floating in the sea of clouds, "Castle in the Sky"
From the parking lot at Tateunkyo Gorge to the observation point is a mountain trail. If you want to see the Takeda Castle ruins floating in the sea of clouds, we recommend the First Observation Deck or Tateunkyo Terrace.
A fantastical view of the clouds at your feet
To climb the Takeda Castle ruins early in the morning, the most common route is to take a 40-minute climb on the paved road from Yamashiro-no-Sato, or a 40-minute climb from JR Takeda Station via the trail behind the station and the Omotemai Shrine trail (a steep trail).
(Note) The Tenku Bus does not operate early in the morning.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in November, the Zentan Bus Early Morning Unkai Bus departs from the Takeda Castle Town Tourist Parking Lot. Please see the following website for information on the route and boarding location.
Written by
We are a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern part of Kinki, including Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockle, rock oysters, and white squid in summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit, sand dune melon. It is an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. We would be happy to visit the vast Northern Kinki region many times and provide information that will help you take a railway journey.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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