Takeda Castle Ruins - Hyogo, Japan
I originally planned to hike one of the trails behind Takeda Station up to the Takeda Castle Ruins (竹田城跡), but both were closed for winter. My only option was to take the winding mountain road instead. After confirming at the visitor centre that the castle was open, I began the climb.
Takeda Castle is often called “the castle floating in the sky” because, on foggy autumn mornings, it appears to hover above a sea of clouds. That magical image was what first drew me here—along with my ongoing love of visiting Japan’s mountaintop castles. Even though it was winter, I still hoped to catch a glimpse of that view.
A staff member at the base warned me about icy patches along the road. I stuck to the centre where it was safer to walk; luckily, traffic was minimal. When I reached the ticket booth, another staff member told me that parts of the ruins were closed due to deep snow, including the usual exit route. I’d have to return the same way I came. Despite the partial closure, the open areas still offered sweeping views of the town and surrounding mountains—absolutely worth the effort.
I was told that the best viewpoint of the castle is actually from Ritsuunkyo, about 5.4 km away, especially in autumn when fog blankets the valley. After descending, I tried to make my way there, but the access road was closed. Although pedestrians could technically continue, the road was icy and I didn’t have my microspikes, so I decided to turn back.
I made it back to Takeda Station with about 45 minutes to spare before my train to Himeji. Although it felt like I hadn’t accomplished much today, I still enjoyed the outing.
History & Background
Takeda Castle was originally built in the 15th century by the Yamana clan and later expanded under Otagaki Mitsukage, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Perched atop a 353-meter mountain, it served as a strategic stronghold during Japan’s warring states period. Though abandoned in the early 1600s after the fall of the Toyotomi, its stone walls remain remarkably well-preserved.
Today, Takeda Castle is one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles and is often called the “Machu Picchu of Japan” for its mountaintop ruins and breathtaking “sea of clouds” view—best seen from the nearby Ritsuunkyo Observatory. The site embodies both the grandeur of medieval fortifications and the quiet beauty of Japan’s changing seasons.
Getting There
You can reach Takeda Station via the JR Hamakaze Limited Express or the local Bantan Line. The Limited Express offers a direct ride and is much faster, though it costs more than twice as much as the local option. If you take the local train, you’ll need to transfer once—but the connection is well-timed, so you won’t have to worry about missing your next train.
Route Overview
Distance: 11.04 km out & back (Takeda Station)
Total elevation gain: 405 m
Duration: 2 hr 16 min (with breaks 2 hr 29 min)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cost Breakdown
Takeda Castle Ruins Entrance Fee: ¥500
Vending Machine: ¥200
