Akashi Castle

Currently the 2 yagura are open during different times of the year, the Tatsumi Yagura from March Through May and Hitsujisaru Yagura from September to November. They are only open on weekends and holidays and will cancel for light rain. In the past each was open during alternating months during the

History

Ogasawara Tadazane (former lord of Matsumoto), moved into the area in 1617. In 1619, under the orders of Tokugawa Hidetada he built Akashi Castle in just one year for the purposes of watching over the Western lords and building up the Tokugawa defenses in the region. He accomplished building this castle in so little time mainly because he used materials from castles in the area that were decomissioned under the one castle per country law of 1615, mainly Fushimi Castle and nearby Funage Castle. The castle deftly makes use of the natural terrain in a 3 tiered castle compound. Ogasawara's father-in-law Honda Tadamasa, who also directed the construction of Himeji Castle, assisted with the construction of Akashi castle. Even though they build a large foundation for a large main keep, no main keep was ever built. In its place the honmaru had 4 large 3 story yagura, two of which are still standing today. Eventually, Ogasawara Tadazane was moved to Kokura Castle and the lordship of Akashi Castle changed hands several times until it was taken over by Matsudaira Naoakira in 1682. The Matsudaira continued to ruled until the coming of the Meiji Restoration.

Field Notes

Currently the 2 yagura are open during different times of the year, the Tatsumi Yagura from March Through May and Hitsujisaru Yagura from September to November. They are only open on weekends and holidays and will cancel for light rain. In the past each was open during alternating months during the same seasons so if you wish to go be sure to check the website (and weather!) and plan accordingly. When I visited the Tatsumi Yagura, I was there when it first opened at 10am but it had started raining and by the time I left they were taking down the signs and packing up. Supposedly this is to protect the interior of the yagura or they will have to close the windows. Only the first floor is open. When visited Tatsumi Yagura (almost 15 years earlier!) you could at least go up the steps and peek inside and take photos but the guide said someone was once injured falling from these steps so they stopped showing the second floor. The guide also said there is a special tour of both including the second floor if you buy a tour through the Furusato Nozei system but I was unable to any such thing today. (May 2024)

https://www.yokoso-akashi.jp/facility/2684

Most of the original stone walls of the castle are well preserved but the weeds and trees growing out and around them are horrible. They really need to do some more work to keep them free of plants or the walls will be damaged. They cut some trees around the "front" side of the castle to make the walls and yagura more clearly visible but the growth from the walls needs to be maintained better. Especially, around the bask side it is atrocious. One of the paths is so choked with vegetation it's now blocked off. It seems the huge castle park in front of the castle is constantly having events, lights, project mapping, etc so one would think they could collect some fees or do a better job collecting donations to help pay for the maintenance before it's too late.

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Gallery

Hitsujisaru Yagura
Tatsumi Yagura
Oda Residence Gate

More Galleries and Feature Pages

(2 photos)

(7 photos)

(4 photos)

(14 photos)

Castle Profile
English Name	Akashi Castle
Japanese Name	明石城
Alternate Names	Kishun-jo
Founder	Ogasawara Tadazane
Year Founded	1619
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Top 100 Castles, has Important Cultural Properties, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Artifacts	Tatsumi Yagura, Hitsujisaru Yagura
Features	gates, turrets, palace, water moats, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Akashi Sta (San'yo Line), 5 min walk
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture
Coordinates	34.65231, 134.99186
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2007
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2009, 2024
Admin Visits	November 14, 2009; May 19, 2024

2.95

(21 votes)

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