- Izushi Castle (Toyooka City)
- Tajima Takeda Castle (Asago City)
- Kuroi Castle (tamba City)
- Sasayama Castle (Tamba-Sasayama City)
- Arioka Castle (Itami City)
- Amagasaki Castle (Amagasaki City)
- Sumoto Castle (Sumoto City)
- Rikan Castle (Sayo-cho)
- Mikazuki Jinya (Sayo-cho)
- Ojio (Okishio) Castle (Himeji City)
- Tatsuno Castle (Tatsuno City)
- Kanjosen Castle (Aioi City)
- Ako Castle (Ako City)
- Akashi Castle (Akashi City)
Akamatsu Hirohide, who became the new lord of the castle in 1585, redesigned the old castle of Yamana clan senior retainer Otagaki clan as a mountain castle with walls of stone. Takeda Castle, which is located on Mt. Kojo at an altitude of 350 meters, was as a strategic base for ruling over southern Tajima, and the Maruyama River flowing at the foot of the mountain led to Ikuno where there was a silver mine. The large scale of the stone wall construction, compared with other castles in Tajima, speaks of the Toyotomi clan’s active support for this castle.
【Tajima Takeda Castle】
【Looking down on the castle town from the mountain】
The castle town was planned around the dramatic curve of the Maruyama River.
【A townhouse with udatsu and the mountain where the castle stood】
Many machiya townhouses with fire-preventative structural elements
known as udatsu on their roofs remain today in Takeda.
【An udatsu on a machiya townhouse (part 1)】
【An udatsu on a machiya townhouse (part 2)】
【A group of Buddhist temples clusters at the base of the mountain】
This teramachi (temple district) has a tranquil character, with moats and stone walls.
【Tomb of Akamatsu Hirohide in the temple district】
Akamatsu rose from Tatsuno in Harima Province to become lord of Takeda Castle,and ruled over
a domain of 22,000 koku (approx. 280 liters or 150 kg. of rice, the estimated production volume of the domain).
【Entrance to trail up the mountain】
A trail up to the mountain’s summit begins at the edges of the temple district.
【The mountain summit】
On top of the mountain there is a panoramic view and one feels marvelously refreshed,
as if having entered another world.
【Mountain summit / Kita Senjo (northern area) entrance】
The winding entrance road and the stone walls towering beside them are an overpowering sight.
【Corner of stone wall with stones stacked in the tateishi style】
This ancient style is used rather than the sangizumi style.
【Stone wall at Tenshudai (part 1)】
Stone walls for the Tenshu (castle keep) stand at the center and highest point of the mountain.
【Stone wall at Tenshudai (part 2)】
Stone walls for the Tenshu (castle keep) stand at the center and highest point of the mountain.
【Looking down on Minami Senjo (southern area) from Tenshudai】
The castle layout is marvelously complex,
with its intertwining of natural topography and human-made fortifications.
【Tenshudai entrance (part 1)】
Climb a steep flight of stone stairs to reach the top of Tenshudai.
【Tenshudai entrance (part 2)】
Climb a steep flight of stone stairs to reach the top of Tenshudai.
【Magnificent stone walls on the mountaintop (Left→Right)】
Visit Takeda Castle and marvel at the fantastic panoramic views.
