- Culture
- Nara
Takatori Castle Ruins
Takatori Castle, the largest and toughest mountaintop castle in Japan
One of the top three mountain castles in the country, Takatori Castle was erected on Mount Takatori in the 14th century. Its exceptional scale is evident, with its perimeter measuring around 3 kilometers. Today, while the buildings are mostly gone, the massive scale of the remaining mossy stone walls give an indication of the castle's structure. The castle is designated as a national historic site and also selected among the Top 100 Castles of Japan by the Japan Castle Foundation.
Largest-scale mountain fortress in the country
With its surrounding grounds extending approximately 30 kilometers, Takatori Castle is the largest mountain castle in Japan. While the buildings including the tower are long gone, the stone walls remain from their original construction and are a sight to behold. Excavations have revealed the locations of the buildings' clay walls, providing valuable insight into the bygone days of the palace. The castle town at the foot of the mountain also preserves some townscape of olden times, conveying the atmosphere of the mountain castle that survived into the Meiji Era (1868-1912).
Saruishi Monkey Stone
As you leave the castle through Ninomon Gate and head down the main street toward the castle town, you can find the Saruishi, or monkey stone. Said to have been carved in Asuka Village of Nara Prefecture around the 6th to 7th century, it is presumed that it was brought over from Asuka to Takatori Castle upon its construction. Despite its name, the unique-looking human-faced sculpture is said to represent foreigners who arrived from overseas during ancient times.
Fall foliage hiking course
The Takatori Castle ruins are also known as a great hiking trail, located around 4 kilometers from Kintetsu Railway's Tsubosakayama Station and a 2-hour hike one way. Along the trail are various ancient artifacts such as old wells and stone walls, giving a glimpse of the mountain castle long ago. There is an observatory on the way to the mountaintop, which was the Kunimi-yagura, a lookout tower that was the heart of the castle, that provides a stunning view of the Yamato Basin and Yoshino. From late October to November, the mountain becomes beautifully colored with autumn foliage and attracts numerous hikers.
Location
| Name | Takatori Castle Ruins |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.japan.travel/en/japans-local-treasures/takatori-castle-ruins/ |
| Address | Takatori, Takatori-cho, Takaichi-gun, Nara |
| Access | Approximately 2 hours' walk from Tsubosakayama Station on the Kintetsu Railway Yoshino Line |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0744-52-1150 |