Takayama Castle (Hiroshima)

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Akitakayama12.jpg

History

The castle was built by Kobayakawa Shigehira in the Muromachi Period. It was besieged for six years by a rival branch of the Kobayakawa in the Onin Wars and also attacked by the Amako in 1543. Kobayakawa Takakage built a new castle called Niitakayama Castle ("New Takayama Castle") across the valley in 1551 and Takayama Castle was abandoned.


Visit Notes

There are multiple routes up to this mountaintop castle, but if you're traveling by train, the one nearest the station works fine. The trailhead may be a little bit hard to find. I asked one local, who did not even know where the trailhead was, but we managed to find it together. If you follow the map or look at the locations of the photos on the map below, you should find find some signs pointing the way to the castle. The trail to the top, however, is narrow, sandy, and slippery. Good hiking shoes and a trekking pole or walking stick are highly recommended. There were some bamboo poles set out at the trailhead, take one if you don't have any with you. The castle itself blew away my expectations. I really think it should be as as highly regarded as Niitakayama Castle across the valley. There are two strings of baileys across two ridges. You should be able to see it well on the map of photos below. There are some great views, trenches, and some stonework scattered throughout. The layout looks fairly simple, but even with the map I got disoriented at one point and scrambled up a steep side to on one part I had already been to. The top of the mountain is heavily covered in brush but the volunteers who maintain the site are miracle workers keeping some trails and baileys clear for you to enjoy the site. I would still avoid summer months, however, it is impossible to keep weeds in check year round.


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Gallery
  • Demaru Bailey
  • Road near the trailhead. Follow the green signs.
  • Trail splits, either way is about the same, but right is steeper
  • Part of the narrow trail
  • Small bailey
  • Trench
  • Horikiri trench
  • Horikiri trench and stone wall remains
  • Horikiri trench of the Demaru bailey
  • Demaru Bailey
  • Demaru Bailey, trench and embankment
  • Demaru Bailey, trench and embankment
  • Demaru Horikiri trench and stone wall remains
  • Stonework remains
  • Iwaomaru Bailey
  • Iwaomaru Bailey
  • Iwaomaru Bailey
  • Mushabashiri - small land bridge between 2 baileys
  • Gongenmaru Bailey
  • View of Niitakayama Castle
  • Gongenmaru Bailey
  • Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
  • Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
  • Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
  • Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
  • Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
  • Stone walls of the terraced baileys in the valley
  • Stepped baileys
  • Stone walls
  • Stone walls
  • Ougi Bailey
  • Ougi Bailey
  • Ougi Bailey
  • Ougi Bailey
  • Route to the Honmaru
  • Honmaru Bailey
  • Honmaru Bailey
  • Naka-no-dan Bailey
  • Ninomaru Bailey
  • Ninomaru
  • Ninomaru Bailey
  • Ninomaru stone walls
  • Ninomaru stone walls
  • Ninomaru stone walls
  • Ninomaru stone walls
  • Kitanomaru Bailey
  • Kitanomaru stone walls
  • Kitanomaru Bailey
  • Kitanomaru Stone Wall
  • Valley between ridges
  • Takayama Castle on the right, Niitakayama Castle on the left


Castle Profile
English Name Takayama Castle (Hiroshima)
Japanese Name 高山城(広島)
Alternate Names Furutakayama-jo, Aki Takayama-jo, Tsumatakayama-jo
Founder Kobayakawa Shigehira
Year Founded 1206
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations National Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access Hongo Sta. (Sanyo Line); 20 min walk to trailhead
Visitor Information mountain, open any time
Time Required 140 mins
Website https://www.city.mihara.hiroshima.jp/uploaded/attachment/40754.pdf
Location Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture
Coordinates 34° 25' 6.46" N, 132° 59' 3.48" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2019
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2018
Admin Visits November 8, 2018


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