Takayama Castle (Hiroshima)

There are multiple routes up to this mountaintop castle, but if you're traveling by train, the one nearest the station works fine. It may be a little bit hard to find and I asked one local who did not even know where the trailhead was, but if you follow the map you'll find some signs pointing it out

Field Notes

There are multiple routes up to this mountaintop castle, but if you're traveling by train, the one nearest the station works fine. It may be a little bit hard to find and I asked one local who did not even know where the trailhead was, but if you follow the map you'll find some signs pointing it out. It's not so difficult. The trail to the top however, is narrow, sandy, and slippery. Good hiking shoes and a trekking pole or walking stick are highly recommended. There were some bamboo poles set out at the trailhead, take one if you don't have any with you. The castle itself blew away my expectations. There are two strings of baileys across two ridges. There are some great views, trenches, and some stonework scattered throughout. The layout looks fairly simple, but even with the map I got disoriented at one point and scrambled up a steep side to on one part I had already been to. The top of the mountain is heavily covered in brush but the volunteers who maintain the site are miracle workers keeping some trails and baileys clear for you to enjoy the site. I would still avoid summer months however, it is impossible to keep weeds in check year round.

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Gallery

Demaru Bailey
Road near the trailhead. Follow the green signs.
Trail splits, either way is about the same, but right is steeper
Part of the narrow trail
Small bailey
Trench
Horikiri trench
Horikiri trench and stone wall remains
Horikiri trench of the Demaru bailey
Demaru Bailey
Demaru Bailey, trench and embankment
Demaru Bailey, trench and embankment
Demaru Horikiri trench and stone wall remains
Stonework remains
Iwaomaru Bailey
Iwaomaru Bailey
Iwaomaru Bailey
Mushabashiri - small land bridge between 2 baileys
Gongenmaru Bailey
View of Niitakayama Castle
Gongenmaru Bailey
Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
Stepped baileys
Stone walls
Stone walls
Ougi Bailey
Ougi Bailey
Ougi Bailey
Ougi Bailey
Route to the Honmaru
Honmaru Bailey
Honmaru Bailey
Naka-no-dan Bailey
Ninomaru Bailey
Ninomaru
Ninomaru Bailey
Ninomaru stone walls
Ninomaru stone walls
Ninomaru stone walls
Ninomaru stone walls
Kitanomaru Bailey
Kitanomaru stone walls
Kitanomaru Bailey
Kitanomaru Stone Wall
Valley between ridges
Takayama Castle on the right, Niitakayama Castle on the left

Castle Profile
English Name	Takayama Castle (Hiroshima)
Japanese Name	高山城（広島）
Alternate Names	Furutakayama-jo, Aki Takayama-jo, Tsumatakayama-jo
Founder	Kobayakawa Shigehira
Year Founded	1206
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Hongo Sta. (Sanyo Line); 15 min walk to trailhead
Hours	mountain, open any time
Time Required	140 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture
Coordinates	34.41846, 132.9843
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2019
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2018
Admin Visits	November 8, 2018

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