The ruins of Takatori Castle, counted among Japan's three greatest mountain castles, is a magnificent mountain castle built atop 583.9-meter-high Takatoriyama mountain.
Overview
Takatori Castle Ruins is located atop 583.9-meter-high Takatoriyama mountain in Takatori-cho, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture. Constructed in 1332 during the Genko era, it was subsequently maintained and expanded by prominent figures including Tsutsui Junkei, Honda Toshihisa, and Uemura Iemas. Takatori Castle is considered one of Japan's three greatest mountain castles, alongside Bitchu Matsuyama Castle and Mino Iwamura Castle. Its grandeur and ruggedness are defining features. The impressive stone walls of the Honmaru (main enclosure) and Ninomaru (second enclosure) testify to its former glory. From the castle ruins, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Yamato Plain and the Ikoma mountain range. A popular destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike, Takatori Castle Ruins also boasts well-maintained hiking trails. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes when visiting.
Train: Get off at Kintetsu Yoshino Line's Tsubosaka-yama Station, then it's about a 2-hour walk from the station.
Bus: About a 1-hour walk from the Nara Kotsu Bus Tsubosaka-dera bus stop.
Car: About 15 minutes from Kintetsu Tsubosaka-yama Station. Ascend from the Shimizu-dani intersection on National Route 169 to Prefectural Route 119. There is no parking lot. (There is some limited space at the end of the Takatori Castle Road, where it is closed to traffic, but the road is narrow, so be careful.) Paid parking is available at Tsubosaka-dera Temple. Show route
Op.Hours
24 hours a day
Cld.Days
None
Fee
Free
INFO
Takatori Castle Ruins are located on a mountain, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Also, it gets very hot in the summer, so please bring plenty of water.
Access to Takatori Castle Ruins is approximately a 2-hour walk from Kintetsu Yoshino Line's Tsubosaka-yama Station, or approximately a 1-hour walk from the Tsubosaka-dera bus stop (Nara Kotsu Bus).