In late May of 2021, I went hiking to the “Takeda Castle”, a castle in the sky.
I was in the mood for a little exercise because I have been working from home and my body has been sluggish…!
I visited this place in the mood for a little exercise, but it was quite hard, so I would like to report on the experience.
Nevertheless, the view from the “Takeda Castle” is breathtaking, and I would be happy if it would be helpful for you to visit there with prior information.
I thought it was a hike, but it was a real climb.
Japan National Tourism Organization’s official HP is here.
What is Takeda Castle?
Access
Located in Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture, is located deep in the mountains of Hyogo and on the border of Kyoto Prefecture, making it a bit inconvenient to get to.
The nearest station is JR Takeda Station, which is in the middle of nowhere and takes more than 3 hours one way from JR Osaka Station.
There are a few trains, so if possible you should visit this place by car.
The surrounding area is a long, quiet country town with nothing to do, so I recommend that you drive there.
information
A fee is required to enter the Takeda Castle.
The tour within the castle ruins takes about 30-60 minutes and is a compact size, but relaxing on a bench overlooking the castle town is recommended.
Notes on places to visit
The most famous photo of Takeda Castle is the one of the castle floating in a sea of clouds.
Please note that this view of the Takeda Castle is from the outside.
This article reports a visit to Takeda Castle from the NOT outside.
If you want to see Takeda Castle from outside (the location where this photo was taken), you can go to a place called “Tateunkyo“.
This place is also difficult to access without a car.
You have to go there in the morning when the conditions are good to see the sea of clouds, so please give it a try!
climbed the mountain.
Four directions
Now, here are the directions on the official website that we referred to when we actually went there.
The Takeda Castle are located at an elevation of 353.7 meters above sea level, and although it may seem easy to reach, it requires a great deal of physical strength to climb the steep terrain.
In fact, the man selling tickets at the entrance said to me, “You came here by the hardest road. Take a good rest before going to the castle.
Oh.. The official website.. You should write a little more information about it’s tough.
The Middle Bus Stop can be reached by taking a bus from “Yamashiro no Sato” (roadside station) or JR Takeda Castle Station.
Outward: Trail behind the station
We used the nearest parking lot near JR Takeda Station, “the Takeda Machinaka Kanko Parking Lot”.(C1)
This is indeed a rural town with lots of land. It was free.
The public restrooms were very clean and well-maintained.
Of course, you can use it there for free.
The castle town streets leading up to the trailhead are lined with clear water and gracefully swimming carp.
After a short walk, we saw the trailhead and immediately started climbing!
A hiking trip to relieve the lack of usual exercise amidst the fresh greenery!
I started to proceed to have fun and relax with my 60-year-old over mother.
Even at the time of taking this picture, it was a tough, steep slope….
The stone staircase starts from the last photo, but it is incomparably higher than that, and it was necessary to go up the steps so high that one had to “heave ho ” to step on them.
The official website only says “the shortest route on foot” but I think they need to explain more information.
“It’s tough”
My mother had climbed up from the south trail in the past, so she suggested a different trail this time. Since it said that the Omotehime Shrine trail was “short but steep,” I chose the trail behind the station.
but I wanted the official site to guide me that this trail was also totally steep! I wish I had been informed that this was a steep trail at.
However, my mother, who usually plays sports daily, was fine.
So it may be 30-year-old women, who works from home and does not exercise on a daily basis, is just too physically weak.
But, but.!!
As I mentioned, the man at the ticket booth said, “I’m amazed you made it here on the toughest road.”
I think it’s really tough.
And so, without any pictures of the toughest steps along the way, the goal (entrance to the castle ruins)
This pic’s stairs are cute. Really.
Restoration: Omotesumi Shrine Hiking Trail
On the way back, I chose to take a different route home, the Omote Yone Shrine trail.
I wonder what the official website means when they say “it is a steep trail.
The trail behind the station was also quite steep. I went there with great enthusiasm.
I see.
This is the stairway that goes on forever.
I imagine the trail behind the station is up a rocky staircase (each step is a bit high), but this trail is a staircase trail that seems to go on forever.
Yes, it might be tough because it’s been going on forever.
Also, my mother said that it was harder on her knees to go downhill.
My heart and lungs aren’t too hard and my knees are still strong, so I could afford it.
The final touch is the approach to the shrine!
View from the Takeda Castle
When I saw the rocks at the castle ruins, I had to admire the trail, wondering how they managed to procure such rocks from such a mountain trail!
It was a pleasant bench with a breezy view of the castle town!
Seeing the ruins of Takeda Castle floating in a sea of clouds from the outside is great, but the actual castle town and scenery seen from inside the castle ruins is also very beautiful and highly recommended!
It is interesting that the people who came from the midway bus stop and those who climbed up the trail were dressed so differently.
summary
How was it?
Actual impressions are as follows.
It would be better to go from the bus stop without any difficulty.
Although we climbed the mountain in the cool weather of late May, we were sweating and gasping at the summit, so if you are going in summer, be prepared for that.
Most of the people were coming from the midway bus stop, and many of them were wearing sandals.
People coming from the trail should come in sneakers & athletic clothes (long skirts and the like are out of the question).
Extra (stopover spots)
Less than an hour’s drive from Takeda Station is the famous egg and rice restaurant Tadakuma.
This restaurant is rated 3.5 on the “Tabelog”” and has been featured in many media.
Even on weekdays, even in the middle of nowhere, you have to wait in line at this egg and rice restaurant. Please go there.
My family purchased eggs and enjoyed egg rice for a week.
I always wish I could go there when I’m back in my hometown, but it’s too far away. The cream puffs were so rich and delicious!
comment