Fukuchiyama Castle

Fukuchiyama Castle is a bit out of the way from Kyoto but it can also be a fantastic day trip for castle fans. The castle itself is well worth the trip, but you can also cycle around the town to visit several temples with gates repurposed from the original castle or cross the river to visit [[Izaki

History

Akechi Mitsuhide built Fukuchiyama Castle under the orders of Oda Nobunaga to pacify the Tanba area. Mitsuhide established the castle town and also improved flood control of the Yura River. The "Akechi Yabu" a strip of land covered in trees along the Yura River was a flood break near the castle and is one such remnant of these works. It is often pointed out to demonstrate Mistuhide's interest not just in pacifying the lands but build up the castle town and infrastructure, making the region successful.

After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 Arima Toyouji became lord of the castle. He expanded and fortified the castle into the Fukuchiyama Castle we see today. Lordship of the castle changed hands a number of times until Kutsuki Tanemaki became lord of the castle in 1669. From then until the Meiji Restoration, 13 generations of the Kutsuki family ruled over Fukuchiyama.

Field Notes

Fukuchiyama Castle is a bit out of the way from Kyoto but it can also be a fantastic day trip for castle fans. The castle itself is well worth the trip, but you can also cycle around the town to visit several temples with gates repurposed from the original castle or cross the river to visit Izaki Castle. Rent a bicycle at the Tourist Information Center just outside the train station.

The fascinating stone walls have many stones that were repurposed from graves and temples. Try to see how many you can identify in the walls and use the photos below to practice!

There is an art museum at the entrance to the castle that is made to roughly look like a Yagura, but it actually has nothing to do with the castle and is not a faithful mock structure of any kind. But, it is photogenic and provides some additional atmosphere for the castle.

Original Profile by RaymondW (2009) updated by Eric (2022).

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Gallery

Akaganemon Guard House - one of the rare extant guard houses
Akaganemon Guard House
Tsurigane Gate
Tsurigane Gate
Akechi Yabu
Akechi Yabu
Map of relocated gates
Relocated gate at Shosenji
Relocated gate at Shosenji
Relocated gate at Shosenji
Relocated gate at Shosenji
Relocated gate at Myokakuji
Relocated gate at Myokakuji
Relocated gate at Hojuji
Relocated gate at Hojuji
Relocated gate at Shoganji
Relocated gate at Shoganji
Relocated gate at Shoganji

Castle Profile
English Name	Fukuchiyama Castle
Japanese Name	福知山城
Founder	Akechi Mitsuhide
Year Founded	1579
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Designations	Next 100 Castles, Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	3 levels, 4 floors
Year Reconstructed	1985 (concrete)
Artifacts	Original guard house moved to the Honmaru in 1985
Features	main keep, gates, turrets, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Fukuchiyama Sta (Fukuchiyama Line); 15 min walk
Hours	Open 9am-5pm; closed Tuesday except Holidays when the following day is closed; closed Dec.28-Jan.6; 330 yen admission
Time Required	90 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Fukuchiyama, Kyoto
Coordinates	35.2968, 135.12952
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2009
Contributor	RaymondW
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed, 2021
Admin Visits	November 5, 2021
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