The Real Sky City: Hidden Gem Among Japan’s Three Famous Sea of Clouds Cities
By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Jun(e), compiled and reported
Hayao Miyazaki’s classic animated film "Castle in the Sky" features a floating city soaring through the skies—a dreamlike place many people long to visit. But did you know there are real-world locations in Japan that resemble such mythical places? Nestled amidst misty mountain ranges, when you look down over the vast landscape from above the clouds, the isolated presence creates a feeling of truly being in a sky city. Below, we introduce Japan’s three most famous castles perched above the sea of clouds, where breathtaking views offer an otherworldly, fairy-tale-like atmosphere that is truly awe-inspiring.
One of Japan’s Three Sea of Clouds Cities — Takeda Castle Ruins (Image source / Asago City)
1. Hyogo Prefecture - Takeda Castle Ruins
Takeda Castle in Hyogo Prefecture was abandoned due to shogunate policies, but in recent years has gained fame for its spectacular scenery—appearing as if the ancient castle is floating halfway up into the clouds (Image source / Asago City)
2. Okayama Prefecture — Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles and is the highest existing mountain castle with a tenshu (main keep), standing at an elevation of 430 meters. From autumn to winter mornings, you can witness the dreamy sight of the castle emerging from the sea of clouds (Image source / Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Guide)
3. Fukui Prefecture - Ono Castle
Located in Fukui Prefecture, Ono Castle sits at an elevation of 249 meters atop a hill. In the early morning, the surrounding sea of clouds gives the impression of a floating sky city suspended in mid-air (Image source / Echizen Ono Castle)
【Info】
Takeda Castle Ruins
Address: 169 Takeda Koujouyama, Wadayama-cho, Asago-shi, Hyogo
Phone: +81 79 - 674 - 2120
Opening Hours: 04:00 ~ 17:00 (Closed in winter from 12/11 to 3/19 due to snow)
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
Address: 1 Uchisaneyama, Takahashi-shi, Okayama
Phone: +81 866 – 22 - 1487
Opening Schedule: April to September 09:00 ~ 17:30, October to March 09:00 ~ 16:30
Ono Castle
Address: 3-109 Shirocho, Ono-shi, Fukui
Phone: +81 779 – 66 - 0234
Open Period: April to September 09:00 ~ 17:00, October to November 09:00 ~ 16:00
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