H-93 Takeda Castle Ruins
“Castle in the sky”
rising at the mountains
Takeda Castle was first built in 1441 at a key transportation location between Harima, Tamba and Tajima.
After the era of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Takeda Castle became a “stone wall castle” with the highest point, the castle tower base (353m above sea level), at its center.
Many stone quarrying sites have been confirmed around the remains of these stone walls. Large vertical moats and climbing stone walls have also been confirmed, and the castle was built in accordance with the style of “Wajo” (castles built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the southern coast of the Korean peninsula when he invaded Korea).
Currently, there are no buildings remaining at the Takeda Castle ruins, however, the stone walls remain in their original form. Many tourists visit the castle, appreciating the view of the foot of the mountain from the ruins, the historic stone walls, and the fantastical beauty when a sea of clouds appears.
View point 1: the Structure (Nawabari)
The layout of Takeda Castle is centered on the castle tower and has large enclosures on three sides, stretching 400m north to south and 100m east to west. All enclosures has been constructed of stone walls, and their complex planar structure, which makes extensive use of bent stone walls called “yokoya“, enhances their defensive capabilities.
View point 2: Stone Wall
The stone walls of Takeda Castle were built using the “nozurazumi” technique, in which natural stones were piled up without much processing, and even now, more than 400 years after its construction, they still boast the majestic appearance. The stone walls of Takeda Castle, built by piling up stones of various sizes, are sometimes called “Ano-zumi” because they resemble those built by the “Ano-shu,” a famous group of stonemasons who were active in the construction of Oda Nobunaga’s Azuchi Castle and other castles.
View point 3: Castle in the sky
Around the Takeda Castle ruins, deep mist appears on clear, early morning days from autumn to winter, and is a seasonal feature of this region. Takeda Castle, enveloped in a sea of clouds, looks like a castle floating in the sky, and many people visit to catch a glimpse of this fantastical scenery.
/// FIT package
We can arrange this tour for individual, family, or the small group, following to your designated date, through the year.
/// Itinerary
8:40 Meet the guide at JR Himeji station,
then take the local express train to Takeda station,
take the taxi or local bus to the nearest bus stop of Takeda Castle,
and take a walk about 20 min.
11:30 Finally arrive the Castle ruin,
look and walk around about 2 hours.
View Points of the Castle
- Structure
- Stone Wall
- Kita Senjo (North spacious hall)
- San no Maru (3rd citadel)
- Ni no Maru (2nd citadel)
- Hon Maru (main citadel)
- Hana Yashiki (back yard citadel)
- Minami Ni no Maru (South 2nd citadel)
- Minami Senjo (South spacious hall)
There are no shops around castle area, you had better bring some snacks from Himeji station.
13:30 Leave the castle, walk to “Yamashiro no Sato” facility for shopping and taking break,
take the taxi to Takeda station,
and take the express train to Himeji station
16:10 Return to Himeji station, then finish the tour.
Note1:
If you miss the 15:05 train, there are no express direct train to Himeji later, so you would arrive Himeji station about 17:40 by next train.
Note2:
If you’d like to watch morning “Castle in the sky” , you need to stay 1 night at this town, and the price is different from below list. Please ask us the price.
/// Price
| Number of Guests |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | 6 or more (Max 10) |
| Price / person (Yen) |
88,000 | 49,000 | 36,000 | 31,000 | 34,000 |
Price Include:
- Return fare of express train from / to Himeji station
- Return fare of taxi from / to Takeda Castle
- Entrance fee of Takeda Castle
- English (or other languages) speaking guide
(English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Thai) - Commission for arrangements
- Commission for settlements by credit card
- Consumption tax
Price Exclude:
- Transportation costs to the meeting place / ending place
- Accommodation costs
- Food and Beverage fee
- Souvenir fee / personal expenses
- Expenses for services not described in the itinerary
Regarding these standard courses, we can arrange the plan upon your request by adding / deleting destinations, and combining other courses before and after, making reservations of accommodation, transportation, restaurants, or event tickets, etc. Please contact us by all means.
Please see here for the arrangement fee.
ex.1 Arrangement for accommodation
Room charge 10,000yen(1night 1person) + Commission 1,650yen(incl. c-tax)=Total 11,650yen
ex.2 Arrangement for additional transportation
Super express train 20,000yen(1person) + Commission 3,300yen(incl. c-tax)=Total 23,300yen
/// Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy for this course;
| Days to Departure | Cancellation Charge |
| More than 31 days | 10,000JPY |
| 30-15 days | 50% of trip price, Min 10,000JPY |
| 14-8 days | 70% of trip price, Min 10,000JPY |
| 7 days or Less, No Show | 100% of trip price |
Please refer to “Price, Terms and Conditions” for other detailed regulations.
/// Application Form
Please select the course and fill in the below box;
/// Payment
Payment can be settled by credit card (Paypal or Stripe).
After your booking, we will send you an invoice, then after your payment by credit card, the booking would be completed.
/// Contact
If you have any questions or offer to book, please send an email. We welcome even little questions! Don’t hesitate, and see you in Japan!!
Contact us: info@i-travel-square.tokyo