Takayama Castle

Takayama Castle

Also known as "Kasaoka Castle," Takayama Castle is an ancient Japanese fortress located on a protruding terrace along the eroded banks of the Minamikawa and Fujisawa rivers in Takayama, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. It was built in the 16th year of the Tensho era (1547). From the terrace, it appears to be a castle constructed on flat land, but from the other three sides, it is a mountaintop castle situated 80 meters above the riverbed foundation, hence it is generally classified as a hirayamajiro (flatland-mountain castle).

During the Edo period, Takayama Castle underwent extensive renovations, and its original appearance has now become difficult to discern. Only the empty moats that divided the various sections of the fortress and the remaining earthen mounds give a sense of its strategic form as a battle-ready castle utilizing the terrain ingeniously. In 1872, the Meiji government transferred the structures within Takayama Castle to private ownership. Former samurai transplanted numerous cherry blossom trees on the ruins of the castle, and in 1875, they opened the site as a public park. When the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, the entire mountainside turns pink, earning it the title of “the finest cherry blossoms under heaven” and making it one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

Although Takayama Castle has now been turned into a castle ruins park, the "Takayama Pavilion" at the park's north entrance, as well as the drum tower within the park and numerous stone monuments, still offer a glimpse of its former glory.

Takato Castle

Must-visit reason: One of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Nagano Prefecture [Nagano Prefecture]

City where the attraction is located: Ina [Ina]