【Introduction of neighboring cities and towns】The ruins of Tsuwano Castle（Shimane prefecture）
Tsuwano Castle perches on Mt. Reiki at an elevation of 363 meters. It is a typical
mountain castle with a relative height of 200 meters from the foot of the mountain. The castle is said to have been built by Yoriyuki and Yorinao Yoshimi from Einin 3rd year (1295) to Seichu 1st year (1324).
However, the Yoshimi clan’s mountain castle was taken over by Naomori Sakazaki, a lord of 30,000-Koku after the Battle of Sekigahara in Keicho 6th year (1601). Naomori renovated the medieval mountain castle into an early modern mountain castle, re-enforced with high stone walls.
In Genwa 3rd year (1617), the castle was taken over by Masanori Kamei, a lord of 43,000-Koku from Kano Castle of Inabanokuni Province. Since then, the castle had long been a residence of 11 generations of the Kamei clan until the Meiji Restoration.
Tsuwano Castle consisted of the main donjon and surrounding Demaru (aka
Oribemaru) stone walls and Otemichi Road in between to make it a highly combat-capable
mountain castle.
There used to be a triple castle tower and a turret in the Honmaru and Ninomaru, but they
were never rebuilt after they were destroyed by lightning in Teikyo 3rd year (1686).
Most of the structures of the castle were dismantled in Meiji 7th -8th year (1874-1875), but the majestic tiered high stone walls still remain on the mountain today, showing visible signs of the large-scale civil engineering work that was carried out by hand. The Tsuwano domain office was located at the foot of the mountain on the northeast side of Shiroyama.
The territory of the medieval mountain castle was vast, stretching approximately 2 km from north to south, and the magnificent high stone walls of the early modern mountain castle and the complex of structures of the mountain castle that once existed are said to be the largest in Japan.
■ Tourist chair lift is recommended to visit Tsuwano Castle ruins.
Since you have to walk from the get-off lift station to the castle ruins, please wear walking friendly shoes.
It takes about 20 minutes on foot to the castle ruins.
The last lift departs at 16:20. Make sure you don’t miss this one.
＜Lift operation hours＞
09:00 – 16:30
（Last return lift departs at 16:20）
Fee: Adult \700 (round ticket)
〃 \400 (one way ticket）
Elementary schoolers and below \500 (round ticket)
〃 \300 (one way ticket）
【Out of service period】
Weekdays (except Sat, Sun, National holidays and Jan.1-3) from December 1st to End of February every year.
■ Heads-up!
１）Watch your steps
The path/road on the way to the castle ruins sometimes gets bumpy and covered by gravels or screes. Make sure you don’t fall down or fall off.
２）Check the location of car parking ahead of time
The car parking space for tourist chair lift is limited. If it is full, please use the one at the Taikodaniinari shrine.
３）Prepare walking friendly clothes and shoes
Since you have to walk a bumpy path/road or wet and slippery stone steps before/after rainfall,
it would be best if you wear exercise/walking friendly shoes
４）Do not take home any tiles, plants or stones
The Castle Ruins are government-designated historical site. Your cooperation to the preservation and conservation of the historic site is appreciated very much. Conversely, please
refrain from bringing stones/plants from outside.
