Kiyosu Castle - Aichi, Japan
Kiyosu Castle is one of the most photogenic castles I’ve visited. The current structure is a reconstruction housing a small museum with displays of samurai armour, pottery, and other artifacts, but the original castle dates back to the 15th century. It was built to guard the strategic junction of the Ise Kaido and Nakasendo highways, which once connected Kyoto with Kamakura.
The nearest train station is about 1.2 km away, and the path to the castle runs alongside the train tracks, so you’ll occasionally see trains passing by. Before reaching Kiyosu Castle, I crossed Ote Bridge, lined with lanterns. With its red railings and a clear view of the castle at the end, it’s a stunning sight—especially in the soft morning light.
The castle grounds are beautifully curated, adorned with traditional paper umbrellas and other cultural touches. Inside the museum, I wandered through the exhibits before climbing to the top floor. The view from above was incredible—not only of the town and river, but also of the trains below. This spot is quite popular among rail enthusiasts, as you can get an unobstructed view of both the Shinkansen and local lines passing through.
Before leaving, I caught part of a live performance happening near the castle’s exit, though I joined midway and didn’t stay for the whole thing. On my way back, I crossed the bridge again and made a quick stop at Kiyosu Park, where I picked up a small souvenir. The park itself is scenic and peaceful—worth a short stroll before heading back to the train station.
History & Background
Kiyosu Castle (清洲城) was first constructed around 1405 by Shiba Yoshishige and later became a stronghold for Oda Nobunaga during his rise to power in the mid-16th century. It served as an important political and military centre during the Sengoku period, marking the early stages of Nobunaga’s unification of Japan.
After the castle was dismantled during the Edo period, only its stone foundations remained until the current reconstruction was completed in 1989. Today, Kiyosu Castle stands as both a museum and a local symbol of Nobunaga’s legacy, blending historical reverence with modern-day charm.
Getting There
You can reach Kiyosu Castle with a 15-minute walk from either JR Kiyosu Station or Shin-Kiyosu Station. The most common route is to take the JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya Station to JR Kiyosu Station, or the Meitetsu Nagoya Line from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Shin-Kiyosu Station. I arrived from Gifu Station—it was a quick 19-minute train ride followed by a short walk to the castle.
Route Overview
Distance: 2.88 km out & back (Kiyosu Station)
Total elevation gain: 7 m
Duration: 36 min (with breaks 58 min)
Difficulty: Easy
Cost Breakdown
Train: Gifu Station → Kiyosu Station — ¥430
Entrance Fee: Kiyosu Castle — ¥400
Souvenir: ¥350
