# Takeda Castle

- **Country:** Japan
- **Coordinates:** 35.300500, 134.829000
- **Location Text:** Asago, Hyōgo

Takeda Castle is a historic mountaintop-style fortress located in the Wadayama neighborhood of Asago, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Situated approximately 353 meters above sea level on Mount Shiroyama, the site commands a strategic view over the intersection of major historical highways connecting Tanba, Inaba, and Harima provinces. Originally constructed around 1441 by builder Otagaki Mitsukage, the castle served as a key stronghold for the powerful Yamana clan during the Muromachi and Sengoku periods. Its location was particularly valuable due to its proximity to the Ikuno mine, which was one of the largest silver mines in Japan at the time, providing significant economic leverage to its owners.

The architectural remnants visible today consist primarily of impressive stone walls and foundations, as the wooden structures were destroyed around the year 1600 during the turbulent Sengoku period. Despite its demolition centuries ago, the site has been preserved as a National Historic Site of Japan since 1943. The ruins are renowned for their dramatic appearance, often shrouded in morning mist that creates the illusion of the castle floating in the clouds. This ethereal quality has earned it the popular nickname "the Machu Picchu of Japan," making it a distinctive landmark in northern Hyogo.

Currently, Takeda Castle exists solely as ruins, yet it remains a significant cultural monument and a popular destination for history enthusiasts and tourists. The site offers a tangible connection to the era of the Ashikaga shogunate and the regional dominance of the Yamana clan, who once held hereditary rights to high military positions and governed eleven provinces. While no buildings remain standing, the extensive stone fortifications provide insight into Japanese military architecture of the fifteenth century. The castle's enduring legacy lies in its scenic beauty and its role as a protected heritage site that commemorates the strategic and economic history of the region.

![Photo of Takeda Castle](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/20130507%20takeda%20castle%2010.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeda_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)