Azuchi Castle Ruins

-very important historical site as the first fortified Japanese Castle built ( and gave it's name to the " Azuchi-Momoyama historical period" - by a non-less historical character , Nobunaga Oda , one of the main figures in Japanese history who started the country's unification to end the civil war, also the first one to introduce firearms in battles in the 1500s. This said, concerning the visit experience: - in contrast to main cities and overcrowded sites , this one is almost empty/desert -the deserted place + the non reconstructed ruins within flourishing nature gives a feeling of a magical/cursed abandoned ruin ; even more with the hauling cry of "higurashi" japanese cicadas in the summer. Unique experience! -it is STEEP and stairs are made from irregular stones , stat can be slippery. Get good shoes, be in shape. The climb is longer than you expect. No vending machines or anything all along so bring your own water. Apart the historical importance and the experience , the climb is just simply worth the view . A map is provided at the entrance, an English one is available. There is only japanese text so I'd recommend those who can't read it to read about the history of the castle and Nobunaga before visiting to get the most out of their visit. Starting by the azuchi museums devoted to Nobunaga , but also to Al the archeological excaved remains of the castle ( this one is temporarily closed for reparations , check before your visit). The museums aren't directly nearby. If you're not driving around , it's walkable ( about 30mn from azuchi station, 30more minutes between the ruins and museum as well). There is a Tourist Information Center in Azuchi town , right next to the JR station. They give useful advices and documentations, including some English ones. They speak English if you need it There are also 2 bike rentals company right in front of the train station/tourist information office . They offer standard bikes, electric bikes and small motorized scooters. It's all flat to the castle and the 30mn walks are down to 5-10 with a normal bike , which are more than enough in my opinion. Kids will love it ( wouldn't recommend for the youngest ones tho )

Totally neglected by tourists and even Japanese visitors (benchmarked by uniformed school kids), the ruin is almost remote by Japanese standard, surrounded by rice paddies, in the desolate tiny town of the same name. Once the power center of this country, the castle was erected in astonishing speed and grace and grandeur, and razed to the ground in equally rapid fashion. Like its owner, the ruin is largely a forgotten place except a passing mention in history books, despite its actual significance in many ways, including being the first castle with an elaborately elevated main keep that inspired all following constructions of grand castles. Nothing really prepares one for the hike to the castle ground. It is simply a difficult and humbling climbing of these difficult stone steps that would've trembled the knees of visiting lords at the time. It is also intriguing to see the site of hashiba hideyoshi's residence, at the bottom of the hill, signifying his relative low status in Oda's ranks, making his future rise to power even more amusing. After the painful hike one would arrive at the castle ground to find a postmortem memorial for Oda Nobunaga himself. Compared to his retainer toyotomi and subordinate daimyo Tokugawa, it is an ironic and also all-too-common reminder of the man who almost unified Japan. Having seen castles like Himeiji and Osaka, I could imagine how majestic and formidable this castle once was yet how easily it collapsed once the owner sacked. The ruin is hard to reach by foot from Azuchi train station where even taxis are rare to be found. Renting a bike is the best way, taking less than 15min to ride there, through the serene rice paddies. There was less than 20 visitors at the entire site in the morning when we visited, contrasting with the tens and hundreds of thousands at Osaka castle and nijo castle among others. The park facilities are basic and borderlining ran-down, and the chaya at entrance is more like shed from a poor provincial village in 1593. More the reason why true fans of history should pay homage to this corner of the world.

While these are ruins, they are rich in the history of Japan. Make sure to do the 200 yen mini museum before you hike up the mountain. Download the app that gives you access to the virtual reality tour.

I’m usually not a fan of castle ruins because it’s usually just a mound of dirt and marker. But Azuchi castle was so grand even the ruins are incredible. The hike up the stone stairs is moderately difficult so pace yourself. Entry is 700 yen and the two goshuen are 600. The view from the top is spectacular.

A real castle for battle. It is not a beautiful castle suitable for sightseeing. Fortress in times of war. No one can reach the top easily