Takeda Castle Ruins

Take a bus from Takeda station to the Takeda ruin stop and you have to take a 20mins hike up to the entrance of the ruins where you can purchase your ticket with a machines. Recommended that you bring 1000yen or coins for the bus rides, bigger notes are okay for the ticket but not the bus.

Be prepared to walk alot up and also inside the ruins, to exit the ruins it’s using stairs but they are pretty steep. We came abit too early for the cherry blossom and too late timing for the clouds, so you can plan your trip for it but expected a crowd at those peak periods too.

Stuning view. You can take a bus from a station and then short walk to the castle or start hiking from the back of Takeda station.
I arrived there at 8.10 am after climbing down from Rutsunkyo in the morning and the clound had already fade away, hope I can come back and see the clound from the castle someday.

Absolutely fantastic spot that reminds me of Machu Picchu on its ruins layout and perched atop a mountain. The bus from the visitor centre departs with quite a wide gap in timing so do time it well if you are visiting, else walking or taxi is the only option. The bus takes you near, but still an uphill walk for 900m is still required.

As you walk uphill, there's a turn left where the signboard says not to enter from, and that is actually the exit point. Technically if you go through there, then it's free entry? As there is no ticket checks within the ruins itself. However, the ticket price is not at all hefty and I will recommend that we all do our part to preserve this fantastic monument.

At the end of the monument, you can see a sweeping view of the Takeda town below.

A few days ago, I travelled with my family to visit the "Takeda Castle Ruins" in Asago-shi, Hyōgo-Prefecture-Japan. It's a bit of a drive from Kyoto, about 21/2 hours to be precise. There are a few options available on maps, and we opted for driving most of it through the countryside. Time-wise, it hardly made a difference. About halfway in, we stopped at an udon restaurant for lunch.
Our first stop was high up on NR 163; it's a winding road to the top and easily accessible by car. On the top, there is a spot from where you can see Takeda Castle Ruins. The distance to the castle is just under 3.00 kilometres or 1.8 miles. I used a 70-200 telelens with a 2X extender. The weather was not at its best, with slight rain and dark clouds; still, it was a fun experience. Of course, the prime time to shoot a legendary picture is in late autumn when there is fog in the morning.
There is a second spot that is very popular with photographers. Located on the opposite side of the castle, you'll need to hike up between 10 and 30 minutes. There are three observation spots, with number one the hot place and the highest. Because it was getting dark, I opted for the third observation spot. The shooting distance to the castle is just under 2.00 kilometres or 1.2 miles.
There is a path, but it is steep and rugged. This area is famous for its clusters of cherry trees during the sakura season. I definitely would like to go back in autumn to see the castle in a sea of clouds.

Took the train from Osaka station, it was quite a long train journey but the views from Takeda castle ruins made me forget about it. A special memory, lots of green and beautiful views of the landscape. Very powerful spot for the spiritually aware.
For the fit like me, you can run up it in 20mins. Great exercise & the beauty at the top will rewarding.
Best time to visit I was told was really early morning spring, when the whole mountain is covered in mist.

A few tips that I could‘t find any information on in advance: (1) The bus that runs from the second car park / visitor center is infrequent and if too many people line up, the bus will be full and you can‘t get on. However, there are two taxis available that you can take and it‘s only ¥650 to go further up. You can also easily walk that short distance on the paved road - it‘s not steep. Check my photo for bus times. (2) There are toilets by the visitor centre and the ticket gate by the entrance. (3) The entrance was actually ¥500. (4) It‘s absolutely beautiful to visit during cherry blossom season! (5) I seems that the main way up (when you follow the signposted path to Takeda Castle) is paved, not steep and easy to walk on. There are other hiking trails on the sides from the town that are much more challenging. Walking on the castle grounds has a few steps, but is fairly easy. (6) Even though it‘s a fairly well-known spot, it doesn‘t have an touristy feel about it. This place is absolutely amazing with some of the best views I‘ve had in Japan!

There is no way to drive up to the ruins other than either taking a bus and walk 20 mins up or taking a taxi and walk 20 mins up. The place is quite nice with awesome view of the surrounding. Just be prepared to walk up the mountain.

Simply put: If you want to experience being within or on top of the clouds go to Takeda Castle ruins early morning. If you want to see the clouds envelope the castle go to Ritsuunkyo parking lot.

Planned a trip to Takeda castle during autumn to view the magnificent sea of clouds. It took 20 minutes to get to the peak but definitely worth the trip! The view was superb! It’s a place to visit at least once in a life time!

I really want this place...it is a historical site...I enjoyed walking one hour until I reach the place...it is so beautiful place

The view is beautiful on a sunny day and it is a nice walk up to the Ruins.

a place worth the visit ;20 minutes hike up over 800m to reach the top.

and about 30 min to 45 min walk about to enjoy the view on top .

Another 20 min walk down to the train station.

It is so good view in the early morning when sunrise. If you want to see the fog, you should start from 4am and walk about 2,2km from parking to castle. There are only taxi and bus can go to the mountain and then you need to walk about 800m to the Castle from bus stop

Marvelous sceneries, prepare for a good 30-40 minutes of hiking to get up there but it will be totally worth it. The views from up there is just gorgeous.

Takeda Castle (竹田城, Takeda-jō) is a ruined castle in the city of Asago, in the northern part of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It is located north of Himeji, and north-west of Kyoto, and is situated some 353 metres above sea level It is regarded as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles, and often referred to locally as the "Machu Picchu of Japan"

Takeda Castle was built as Izushi Castle. It was constructed by Otagaki Mitsukage, a retainer of Yamana Sōzen, lord of the area, in 1441. Otagaki then became lord of the castle. It was conquered in 1577 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi during the Tajima Province campaign. It was then placed under the control of his younger brother, Hidenaga. Akamatsu Hirohide, the last lord of the castle, fought on the side of Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Even though he served valiantly in the battle, Hirohide was accused of arson. He then committed seppuku and the castle was abandoned.

Sunshine day prefect place love there much…

Quite a challenging hike up the trail from Takeda station. There is a shuttle that will bring uou to the side though. Stunning view from the top

Beautiful castle ruins with many several great views of Asago. The walk is easy and there are several benches for you to stop and enjoy the atmosphere. World-famous for the rare clouds called “unkai”. Visitors to Hyogo and Asago must come here and stroll through these stone ruins!

Must go place when you come to Takeda. Enjoy the short hiking route behind JR station to the top. Or take the shuttle bus from JR station to mountainside and walk from there. On top of the Takeda you can see the whole town and nearby area. You can see Sakura in spring too. Enjoy it.

It’s a beautiful place to visit. However you need to check the weather forecast before you come.
It takes a short walk (around 40 min ) from the the parking to the top.
Also please check the opening hour when you come.