[Kyoto Prefecture ] Let's go see Fukuchiyama Castle, the symbol of Fukuchiyama City | Highlights and seasonal events

• Table of Contents
• What is Fukuchiyama Castle?
• Basic information about Fukuchiyama Castle (opening hours, admission fees, location)
• How to get to Fukuchiyama Castle (access from Kyoto and Osaka)
• Highlights of Fukuchiyama Castle
• Seasonal events around Fukuchiyama Castle
• Other sightseeing spots around Fukuchiyama Castle that you might want to visit

What is Fukuchiyama Castle?

It all began in 1579 (Tensho 7) when Akechi Mitsuhide, who had pacified Tamba, built a castle in this area. After the castle was built, Mitsuhide appointed his son-in-law, Akechi Hidemitsu, as the castle lord and entrusted him with the governance of the area. In the Battle of Yamazaki following the Honnoji Incident and the subsequent events, Mitsuhide and Hidemitsu were killed, but Fukuchiyama Castle was renovated and expanded under the leadership of various lords, including Hashiba Hidenaga. From the Edo period onward, the castle lord changed frequently due to transfers of domain and confiscation of territory, but from 1669 (Kanbun 9) until the Meiji Restoration, the Kutsuki clan served as the feudal lords for 13 generations.
Due to the castle demolition decree of 1873 (Meiji 6), most of Fukuchiyama Castle was lost, with only the Ishigaki around the keep and the copper gate remaining.
However, in the Showa, momentum grew for the reconstruction of the castle as a symbol of the city. Thanks to citizen-led initiatives such as the "One Tile Movement," a three-story, four-tiered watchtower-style main keep and a two-story smaller keep were rebuilt in 1986 (Showa 61), based on historical drawings, and remain to this day. The interior displays materials related to Akechi Mitsuhide and successive castle lords, as well as the history and cultural assets of Fukuchiyama. The view of the town from the watchtower is magnificent.
In 2017, it was selected as one of the "Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles" (number 158).

Fukuchiyama Castle URL

Basic information about Fukuchiyama Castle (opening hours, admission fees, location)

[Opening Hours] 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
[Closed Days] Every Tuesday (or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday), December 28th-31st, January 4th-6th [Admission Fee] 330 yen for adults
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 110 yen
Combined ticket for 3 facilities (Fukuchiyama Castle, Art Museum, Fukuchiyama Railway Museum Fukureru)
Adults: 900 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students): 400 yen
[Address] 5 Naiki , Fukuchiyama City Kyoto Prefecture Prefecture
[TEL] 0773-23-9564

How to get to Fukuchiyama Castle (access from Kyoto and Osaka)

If you are using the train

JR Fukuchiyama Station can be reached by limited express train in approximately 80 minutes from Kyoto and approximately 100 minutes from Osaka.
Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Fukuchiyama Station.
You can also rent bicycles at the tourist information center inside the station.

Fukuchiyama Station

620-0045 Ekimaecho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture

Fukuchiyama Station is the central station for heading towards the northern Kinki region. It is a transfer point for the Sanin Line, Fukuchiyama Line, and Maizuru Line, and is also the starting point for the Kyoto Tango Railway. On the north side of the station there is a tourist information centre where you can also rent bicycles. Fukuchiyama station / convenience store = yes, tourist information centre = yes, automatic ticket vending machine = yes

Fukuchiyama Tourist Information Center (Fukuchiyama Tourism Assoc...

439 Ekimae-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 620-0045

The Fukuchiyama Tourist Information Center is located at the north exit of JR Fukuchiyama Station. In addition to providing tourist information, we also sell tourist souvenirs, provide tourist information, take reservations for tour guides, and rent out bicycles. Please stop by when you visit Fukuchiyama City.

By car

Approximately 90 minutes from Osaka
Approximately 105 minutes from Kyoto
After exiting the Maizuru Wakasa Expressway at the Fukuchiyama Interchange and heading towards Fukuchiyama, proceed along National Route 9 for approximately 3 km.
Parking: Yurano Garden Parking (Free: Approximately 70 spaces)

Highlights of Fukuchiyama Castle

Toyoiwa-no-i, one of the deepest wells in Japan.

The well located on the east side of the castle tower boasts a diameter of 2.5 meters and a depth of 50 meters, making it one of the deepest wells in a castle keep in Japan. It is still filled to the brim with water today.

Copper Gate Guardhouse

The copper gatehouse, which was located at the entrance to the second bailey, was moved to the castle tower base during the Taisho era, and then moved again to the main bailey site when the castle tower was rebuilt. It is a valuable building that tells the history of the castle.

Ishigaki

The Ishigaki from the castle tower base to the main enclosure are built using a technique called "nozurazumi" (rough stone masonry), and have withstood the test of time for over 400 years. Another notable feature is that many tombstones, Buddhist statues, and other stone structures were repurposed as building materials.

Fukuchiyama Castle Park

620-0035 Kyoto Prefecture, Fukuchiyama City, Uchiki 5

Documents and videos relating to Akechi Mitsuhide and the successive castle lords are on display. The unique stone walls remain from the time of construction, and the castle tower is the only one in northern Kinki. The view of the castle from the watchtower is outstanding.

Seasonal events around Fukuchiyama Castle

April: Fukuchiyama Castle Festival

A springtime tradition in Fukuchiyama , the Fukuchiyama Castle Festival, a major event in the castle town built by Akechi Fukuchiyama , will be held over two days. With Goryo Park, home to the Goryo Shrine dedicated to Mitsuhide, as the main venue, there will be plenty to see, including a variety of stage shows and a procession honoring Mitsuhide. The town will be bustling with activity for two days.

Fukuchiyama Castle Festival Official Instagram

August: Fukuchiyama Dokkoise Festival

This is a summer festival held in Fukuchiyama City , Kyoto Prefecture . The " Fukuchiyama Ondo" is said to have originated when Akechi Mitsuhide carried out restoration work on Fukuchiyama Castle, and the laborers chanted "Dokkoise" (a traditional Japanese exclamation) while transporting stones and timber for the construction. It has been cherished as a traditional cultural event in Fukuchiyama City for over 400 years.

Fukuchiyama Dokkoise Festival Official Instagram

October: Fukuchiyama Illumination (A night event woven with light and sound)

This night event, featuring light and sound, takes place at Fukuchiyama Castle, built by the local warlord Akechi Mitsuhide, and at "Yurano Garden" at its base. Started in 2018, it has become a quintessential autumn evening event, receiving high praise nationwide, including the Grand Prix, the "Prime Minister's Award," at the 2024 "Hometown Event Awards." Enjoy a pleasant autumn evening enveloped in music and light.

Other sightseeing spots around Fukuchiyama Castle that you might want to visit

Here are some tourist spots within walking distance of Fukuchiyama Castle.

Fukuchiyama Railway Museum Fukureru

This facility allows visitors of all ages to experience the history of Fukuchiyama as a "railway town" through the display of premium materials and multiple interactive exhibits.

Fukuchiyama Railway Museum Fukureru

32-20 Oka-no, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 620ｰ0873

The Fukuchiyama Railway Museum Fukurel opened in Fukuchiyama Castle Park in 2023. Fukuchiyama has a history of functioning as a key hub for water transportation and transport, and later flourished as a railway town connecting Kyoto with Osaka, Maizuru, and other areas. At Fukurell, you can view exhibits that look back on the history of the railway, which has spanned over 100 years since the railway connecting Osaka and Fukuchiyama was established in 1899, and experience a CG simulator that lets you become a train driver and drive around Fukuchiyama. It's also a recommended spot for travelers with children. There are restaurants and bus parking lots nearby, making it convenient for group tours.

Yura's Garden

After finishing our tour of the castle, we took a break at "Yurano Garden" below the castle. There are restaurants and select shops, and depending on the seat, you can enjoy a meal while overlooking the castle.

Yurano Garden

6 Hori, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 620-0875

Located just east of Fukuchiyama Castle, you can enjoy a natural garden, dining, select shops, and seven other shops. After finishing your tour of the castle, you can take a break at Yurano Garden, where you can enjoy a meal while looking out at the castle, depending on your seat.

Akechi thicket (Jagabata thicket)

From the watchtower of Fukuchiyama Castle, you can see the "Akechi Yabu" embankment, which is said to have been built by Akechi Mitsuhide. It was constructed as a measure against flooding caused by the Yura River, which frequently overflows.

Akechi thicket (Jagabata thicket)

102-2 Uchiki 1-chome, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 620-0035

Jagabana Onyabu is said to be a bank built by Akechi Mitsuhide as a flood prevention measure for the Yura River, which frequently overflowed, and is affectionately known as "Akechi Yabu." It can also be seen from the watchtower of Fukuchiyama Castle.

Goryo Shrine

This shrine is dedicated to Akechi Mitsuhide, a Sengoku period warlord who ruled Fukuchiyama with good governance. Valuable historical materials related to Lord Mitsuhide, such as handwritten letters and military regulations for his household, are preserved here.

Goryo Shrine (Fukuchiyama City)

238 Nishinakanocho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 620-0038

The enshrined deity is Ugamoryo-okami, and the accompanying deity is Hyuga no Kami Mitsuhide (Akechi Mitsuhide). This shrine enshrines Akechi Mitsuhide, a Sengoku period warlord who ruled Fukuchiyama with good governance.

Sato Taisei Memorial Museum

This exhibition primarily features works by the late Taisei Sato, a Japanese painter from Fukuchiyama City who was awarded the Order of Culture.

Sato Taisei Memorial Museum

32-64 Okano, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 620-0035

Located in a corner of Fukuchiyama Castle Park, this art museum has the appearance of a castle and opened in 1990. The exhibition focuses on the works of the late Sato Taisei, a Japanese painter from Fukuchiyama City who was awarded the Order of Culture. His works, which beautifully depict the gentleness and harshness of nature, inspire deep emotions and a sense of peace in the viewer.

Fukuchiyama City Tamba Lifestyle Clothing Museum

The museum displays a collection of approximately 3,600 items of traditional dyed and woven textiles.

Fukuchiyama City Tamba Living Clothing Center

10, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 620-0035

The museum has collected and exhibited a collection of about 3,600 traditional dyed and woven items. The diverse collection includes kimonos that were used daily by ordinary people and is known as "Tamba Living Clothing." There is also a permanent handloom on display so people can try out weaving and create their own products, and there is also a public gallery where clubs and other groups can present their work.

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