Akashi Castle Akashi Hyogo
Akashi Castle: Akashi Castle in Akashi city in Hyogo Prefecture western Japan was built in 1619 to help protect Osaka from possible attack by Tozama daimyo.
Akashi Castle & Akashi Park, Hyogo Prefecture 明石城
Jake Davies
Akashi Castle was built to help protect Osaka from possible attack by Tozama daimyo. These were mostly the warlords defeated by the Tokugawa forces at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Many of the Tozama feudal lords controlled territory in the west of Japan.
Akashi Castle with its two remaining turrets
Some of the impressive stone walls at Akashi Castle
Akashi Castle History
The castle was constructed in 1619 by Ogasawara Tadazane although it is known that the famed swordsman Miyamoto Musashi was also involved in the construction.
It is believed that two gardens in nearby temples were designed by Miyamoto Musashi who was renowned for his skill in multiple arts as well as swordsmanship.
The castle is somewhat unusual in that it was built within the space of a single year, but that was because much of the materials and some of the buildings were recycled from other castles. In 1615 the "One domain, one castle" edict came into force and many castles had to be dismantled. Tadazane had moved into nearby Funage Castle just a few years previously, and parts of it were used to built Akashi Castle. Fushimi Castle just south of Kyoto also provided material for Akashi Castle.
Also slightly unusual is that Akashi Castle did not have a keep, or donjon. A base was built but none actually constructed, rather the castle had four large turrets, or yagura, as their main buildings. Two of these turrets remain today.
The castle changed hands several times during the 17th century until the Echizen branch of the Matsudaira took over in 1682 and they remained until the Meiji Restoration of 1868. In 1874 the two northern turrets were dismantled.
What is left today are extensive stone works facing the south and the Hitsuji Saru Turret, originally from Fushimi Castle, in the southwest corner, and the Tatsumi Turret in the southeast. Both are registered as Important Cultural Properties and can be entered for free on weekends and holidays, alternating one with the other on alternate months.
The castle grounds are now a large urban park with large grassy area as well as woodland walks. There are a couple of small gardens, a large pond in the forested area behind the castle, and several sports facilities in the park. It is popular during both the cherry blossom season and the autumn colors season. Events and festivals are held in the park all year.
The Hitsuji-saru turret, the largest remaining building at Akashi Castle
Looking up at the Hitsuji-saru turret at Akashi Castle
Access To Akashi - how to get to Akashi Castle
Akashi Castle
1-27 Akashikoen, Akashi-shi, Hyogo 673-0847
Tel: 078 912 7600
Admission: Always open, and free to enter.
The castle is a few minutes' walk from JR Akashi Station and Sanyo Railway Akashi Station. Take a train from Sannomiya Station in Kobe. By JR the journey takes 33 minutes by Local train, 24 minutes by Rapid or 16 minutes by Special Rapid trains.
Traditional-style garden in Akashi Park, Hyogo Prefecture
A quiet corner of Akashi Park
Nearby
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - the world's longest suspension bridge.
