The Takeda Castle Ruins are laid out radially with the foundations of the stone fortress (tenshudai)
in the center and three wings (minami-senjo, kita-senjo, and hanayashiki) emanating from it. The entire mountain
on which the castle was built is also known as Torafusu-jo or Koga-jo (“Sleeping Tiger Castle”) due to
its resemblance to a sleeping tiger.
Furthermore, in the early morning on fine days in autumn and winter,
Takeda Castle Ruins is surrounded by a sea of clouds, giving it the appearance of truly floating in the sky
(Images courtesy of Toshihisa Yoshida)


History of Takeda Castle
Perched on the top of a mountain standing 353.7 m above sea level, Takeda Castle is said to have been built by
Yamana S?zen, lord of the Tajima area, in 1441-1443. The Otagaki Mitsukage was the first lord of the castle,
which stayed under his family’s control for five generations until1580, when Takeda Castle was conquered during the Tajima Province campaign
by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the orders of Oda Nobunaga.
The last lord of the castle, Akamatsu Hirohide, is said to have fortified the magnificent stonework walls.
Anoshu stone masons from Shiga Prefecture are said to have listened to the stones as they built,
creating beautiful stone walls that still amaze visitors even after 400 years.
The Takeda Castle Ruins are known as one of the most outstanding castle ruins in all Japan.

Pass under the railway track at Takeda Station and walk along Teramachi-dori Street to Hyomai Shrine
(approx. 8 minutes’ walk).
The passage under the railway track. The tracks are quite low,
so be careful as you pass underneath.
Hyomai Shrine mountain trail.
As of March 2014, this route is currently the closest to Hana-tei
(approx. 30 minutes’ walk).
Dedicated to the warrior Hyomai Sukune no Mikoto, this shrine is rare in Japan for having a sumo wrestling ring.
Go through the shrine grounds; the mountain trail is on the left.
Open the gate in the fence for keeping animals out and enter the mountain trail.
Don’t forget to close the gate behind you!
The train comprises continuous stairs on a steep slope. We recommend that you wear sneakers (sports shoes)
and carry our belongings in a rucksack to keep your hands free.
A walking stick also comes in very handy.
Climb the mountain slowly and be careful in your footing so that you do not burden your knees or lower back or injure yourself.
When you reach the end of this trail, you will enter a paved mountain path.
This path continues to the car park on the flank of the mountain.
At the car park there is a bus stop for the “Tenku Bus”.
Many people use this bus service when going down the mountain.
If you climb up to the castle ruins, a magnificent location will be awaiting you.
Under traffic regulations effective as of March 20, 2014, taxi operational hours are restricted.
Please ask Hana-tei staff if you wish to book a taxi or have any questions.
There is also a local bus that passes the Takeda Castle Ruins, the “Tenku Bus” service.
(The bus stop is on the left as you exit Takeda Station.)



Takeda Machiya Terakoya
Takeda Machiya Terakoya（Terakoya-cafe）

286 Takeda, Wadayama-cho, Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture　TEL.079-674-1255

Hana-tei

250-1 Nishi-gawa, Takeda Aza-Nakamachi, Wadayama-cho, Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture　

TEL.079-674-0558 E-mail：takeda-terakoya@ivy.ocn.ne.jp

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