[Takatori Town] The "strongest castle in Japan" associated with Toyotomi Hidenaga also has the best autumn foliage!? "Takatori Castle Ruins" Historic Site

The autumn foliage season is almost upon us, so I'd like to introduce my favorite spot for viewing the autumn leaves: Takatori Castle Ruins. 🍁 This hike up Mount Takatori, 583.9 meters above sea level, is perfect for those with good legs. 👣

Takatori Castle began as a simple fort built by the Ochi clan of the Southern Court in 1332. In 1585, Toyotomi Hidenaga ordered his vassal, Honda Toshihisa, to renovate and expand it into a modern fortress. 🏯

Though a mountain castle, it boasts a multi-tiered keep at the top of the mountain, 27 turrets and 33 gates spanning approximately 3 kilometers, and even a moat, creating a flatland-like castle-like structure.

The white castle towering over the mountain was also known as "Fuyo Castle" and was praised as "Tatsumi Takatori Snow, but it's not a Tosa castle." However, it was abandoned during the Meiji period, and today only the stone walls remain.

Designated a National Historic Site in 1953 and one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006, Takatori Castle is considered one of Japan's Three Great Mountain Castles, along with Bitchu Matsuyama Castle (Okayama Prefecture) and Mino Iwamura Castle (Gifu Prefecture).

The best place to see the autumn foliage at Takatori Castle is the Honmaru area near the summit. Around late November, the fallen leaves create a red carpet that spreads before your eyes. 🍁

Takatori Castle is a daunting climb, and because it's not overrun with people, the fallen leaves aren't trampled on, making it a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful red scenery. 🥰

Whether you take a photo from below with the stone walls in the background or looking down from the castle tower, this view is picturesque. It's even more beautiful with the naked eye, so I highly recommend making the effort to climb it! 🥹

Not only are the autumn leaves spectacular, but the view of the Nara Basin from the ruins of the Kunimi Yagura tower along the way is also spectacular. The Takatori Castle Festival is also held in the castle town at the foot of the mountain on November 23rd, so if you have time, be sure to come and see it! 🏮

⁡⁡【 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 】⁡
⁡📍 Takatori, Takatori-cho, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture
🚶♀️ Approximately 2 hours from Kintetsu Tsubosakayama Station
🅿️ None (tourist parking available at the foot of the mountain)

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