[Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture] How to climb the ruins of Takeda Castle, the "Machu Picchu of Japan"
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One of the most scenic spots in Hyogo Prefecture. Takeda Castle Ruins is also known as the "Machu Picchu of Japan" and the "Castle in the Sky," and many people come from far away to see it. We will introduce in detail how to get to Takeda Castle Ruins, how to climb it, and the highlights within the ...
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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
- What is Asago City?
- What is Takeda Castle Ruins?
- Access to Asago City
- Takeda Castle Ruins Access Map
- How to climb to the Takeda Castle ruins [From Yamashiro no Sato]
- How to get to the Takeda Castle ruins [From JR Takeda Station]
- Recommended route: Sky Bus + West Trail
- Highlights of Takeda Castle Ruins
- Photo spot
What is Asago City?
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, the largest circular burial mound in the Kinki region, and industrial heritage sites such as the Ikuno Silver Mine, making the entire area a museum.
What is Takeda Castle Ruins?
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Takeda Castle Ruins stretches 400m north to south and 100m east to west, and is said to be the largest stone wall remains in Japan. The stone walls from before the Edo period remain almost intact. The stone walls, built using the "no-zura" method with almost no processing of natural stones, still show their majestic appearance even after more than 400 years. In 1943, it was designated a national historic site as one of the country's leading mountain castle ruins. In 2006, it was selected as one of "Japan's 100 Famous Castles" by the Japan Castle Foundation. One of Hyogo Prefecture's most spectacular views, "Japan's Machu Picchu," and the fantastic view of the castle ruins floating in the sea of clouds has earned it the nickname "Castle in the Sky."
history
Takeda Castle was built in 1441 (the first year of the Kakitsu era) as one of the frontline bases for the Yamana clan against the Akamatsu clan. After that, the Otagaki clan ruled the castle for seven generations, but in 1577 (the fifth year of the Tensho era), it was captured by Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi in his attack on Tajima, and Hashiba Hidenaga became the castle lord. From then on, Takeda Castle functioned as a base castle for the Azuchi-Toyotomi clan. In 1580 (the eighth year of the Tensho era), Hashiba Hidenaga entered Izushi-Arikoyama Castle, and Takeda Castle was then entrusted to Hidenaga's subordinate, Kuwayama Shigeharu. Furthermore, in 1585 (the thirteenth year of the Tensho era), when Kuwayama Shigeharu became the castle lord of Kii-Wakayama, Akamatsu Hirohide became the castle lord. For fifteen years, from the thirteenth year of the Tensho era to the fifth year of the Keicho era, Akamatsu Hirohide ruled well as the last lord of Takeda Castle, and was loved by the people as a "ruler of benevolence." It is said that the stone walls that can be seen today were built when Hirohide extensively renovated the castle. In the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Hirohide sided with the Western Army, and later participated in the siege of Tottori Castle as part of the Eastern Army, which he captured. However, during the battle, he incurred the wrath of Ieyasu for setting fire to the castle town and burning down the city, and Hirohide was forced to commit suicide despite being falsely accused of a crime. With no lord left, Takeda Castle was abandoned.
Access to Asago City
Please click here for information on how to get to Asago City.
By car
The nearest interchange is "Wadayama IC" on the Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway and the Bantan Link Expressway. After getting off the interchange, turn left at the "Wadayama IC Mae" traffic light, and it's about a 10-minute drive to each parking lot. For parking information, please see the "Takeda Castle Ruins Access Map" below. The closest parking lot to Takeda Castle Ruins is Yamashiro no Sato Parking Lot. Please start from the west hiking trail.
By train
The nearest station is "Takeda Station" on the JR Bantan Line. Take the Tenku Bus from the "Takeda Station" bus stop to the "Takeda Castle Ruins" bus stop, and from there it is a 20-minute walk from the west mountain trail to the toll collection building of the Takeda Castle Ruins. There are also other options, such as the station back mountain trail route, which is a 40-minute walk, and the Omotemai Shrine mountain trail route, which is a 40-minute walk. Both trails are steep. Please be careful when climbing.
Takeda Castle Ruins Access Map
How to climb to the Takeda Castle ruins [From Yamashiro no Sato]
Yamashiro no Sato is the closest parking lot to the Takeda Castle ruins. From there, it's a 40-minute walk along the west mountain trail. Alternatively, you can take the Tenku Bus or taxi partway to the Takeda Castle Ruins bus stop or taxi stand, and then walk for 20 minutes.
How to get to the Takeda Castle ruins [From JR Takeda Station]
From Takeda Station, we recommend taking a 20-minute Tenku Bus or taxi to the Takeda Castle Ruins bus stop or taxi stand, then walking for 20 minutes from there. There is also a 40-minute climb from the station via the Ekiura Trail and Omotemai Trail, but both routes are steep and have lots of stairs.
Recommended route: Sky Bus + West Trail
Take the Tenku Bus, which runs around JR Takeda Station, Yamashiro-no-Sato, etc., to the Takeda Castle Ruins bus stop on the west mountain trail. From there, it's about a 20-minute walk (800m) to the Otemon Gate entrance.
From JR Himeji Station or JR Wadayama Station, take the JR Bantan Line to JR Takeda Station
Takeda Station on the JR Bantan Line opened in 1906 (Meiji 39). The station building, with its tiled roof and white walls, is still in use today, just as it was back then.
Take the Sky Bus from JR Takeda Station to the castle ruins.
The Tenku Bus may change its operating timetable depending on the season and road conditions. Please be sure to check.
Yamashiro-no-Sato (via, detour)
There is also a bus stop in Yamashiro-no-Sato. Don't get off there, but ride all the way to the "Takeda Castle Ruins" bus stop.
It's a good idea to make a detour to have lunch or sweets, but please be sure to pay attention to the time of the next bus.
Walk to the castle from the "Takeda Castle Ruins" bus stop or taxi stand
The Tenku Bus will take you to the "Takeda Castle Ruins" bus stop, where you can also board the return bus.
From here, we will climb up to the Takeda Castle ruins (about 20 minutes). The asphalt road continues to the reception building. It is easy to walk, but many parts of the castle ruins are not paved, so we recommend wearing hiking boots or sneakers.
Detour (Toilet)
After walking a little, you will come to a slope going up to the side, where there is a sign that says "Mid-hill Toilet."
If you climb up there
There are toilets and vending machines (even if they are sold out), so please stop by if you need anything.
Rock that won't fall
There is a rock that stands on the edge of a cliff beside a large curve, and looks as if it will fall, but it never does. On the opening day in March, local residents come here to pray for safety and success in exams. Recently, it has become popular among students taking exams, and the number of people coming to pray for success is increasing.
From the entrance to the toll collection building, we finally head to the castle ruins
Admission fee: Individual admission fee: Adults (high school students and above): 500 yen per person; Junior high school students and below: Free
Group rates (20 or more): Adults (high school students and above) 450 yen per person Junior high school students and below Free
The viewing hours for Takeda Castle Ruins vary depending on the season. For details, please see the Takeda Castle Ruins website.
Highlights of Takeda Castle Ruins
Otemon Gate (Masugata Tiger's Gate)
Otemon means the main entrance, and it is believed that a gate was built here. The stone wall is narrow and curves to the left to make it difficult for enemies to invade, and is high on all four sides like the bottom of a square, making it easy to attack from above.
Arrow hole
At the top of the stairs, there is a stone in the stone wall with a straight line of similar holes. It is thought that holes (arrow holes) like perforations were drilled in the stone one by one, and then it was broken by hammering with a special tool. One way to enjoy Takeda Castle ruins is to think about why the stones with arrow holes from that time were here, and why they were not broken.
Sit on a bench in Sannomaru and look down on the castle
Castle tower base (counter-block stacking)
Sangizumi is a technique for stacking rectangular stones in a stone wall, alternating between the long and short sides of the stones. This increases the strength of the stone wall and makes it less likely to collapse.
View from the castle tower
Power Stone (Mirror Stone)
It is a huge flat stone with a mirror-like surface, and was considered a symbol of the feudal lord's power. It was placed in the passageway near the entrance, and is said to have had the effect of intimidating enemies. Recently, it has been rumored that if you hold your hand over the mirror stone at the Takeda Castle ruins, you will gain energy (power).
Finally, take a commemorative photo at Minamisenjo with the stone wall in the background.
From here you can see many of the castle ruins' stone walls. This is a great spot to take commemorative photos with the castle tower in the background.
There are a few stairs from Minamisenjo to the exit, so please be careful where you step and go down slowly. From the exit, it is about a 15-minute walk to the "Takeda Castle Ruins" bus stop.
Photo spot
Ritsuunkyo Gorge
Tateunkyo Gorge, also known as "Tajima Yoshino," is the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot in northern Kinki, where mountain cherry blossoms and Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms bloom in abundance in spring.
In recent years, it has also become a popular observation and photo spot from which you can see the ruins of Takeda Castle, which has been likened to a "castle in the sky" floating in a sea of clouds.
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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