Tsuwano Castle was built by Yoshimi Yoriyuki at the end of the Kamakura period, and after the Sengoku period, it became the castle of the Tsuwano Domain in the Edo period. It is a mountain castle built on the top of a mountain at an altitude of 367 meters. Although no buildings remain today, the vast castle area, which stretches for about 2 km, has sturdy stone walls from that time that remain in almost perfect condition, and its grandeur is overwhelming. In particular, the stone walls of the main citadel, the remains of the three-tiered yagura tower, and the outer citadel are valuable relics that convey the transition in castle construction technology from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. From the castle ruins, you can see the beautiful castle town of Tsuwano, the surrounding mountains, and the clear Tsuwano River, and the spectacular view is a symbol of Tsuwano, known as the "Little Kyoto of Sanin."

It is convenient to use the tourist lift to the top of the mountain. After getting off the lift, you will need to walk about 20 minutes along a well-maintained mountain path to the main citadel, but along the way you can enjoy the historical remains and the nature of the four seasons. Especially in the autumn foliage season, the contrast between the colorful trees and the stone walls is wonderful, and the area is crowded with many tourists and hikers.

It is relatively easy to access, as it is about a 5-minute drive from JR Tsuwano Station to the lift station, and another 5 minutes by lift. Tsuwano Castle Ruins is recommended for those who want to experience the atmosphere of a historic mountain castle, those who want to enjoy hiking while taking in the spectacular views, and those who are touring the "100 Famous Castles of Japan".

[Trivia]
Tsuwano Castle was known as an "impregnable castle" because of its robustness. It is said that the castle's other name, "Sanbonmatsu Castle," comes from the fact that there were three large pine trees on the mountaintop.

[Hidden Spot Information] At the foot of the Tsuwano Castle Ruins is Taikodani Inari Shrine, with a row of about 1,000 vermilion torii gates. It is close to the Tsuwano Castle Ruins tourist lift station, and if you visit the castle ruins together with the castle ruins, you can feel a deeper sense of Japanese history and culture. The castle town's Tonomachi Street is a great place to stroll, with its white-walled earthen walls and the carp swimming in the moat creating a beautiful landscape.

[Useful points of concern]
Since Tsuwano Castle Ruins is a mountain castle, even if you use the lift, you will need to walk for about 20 minutes from there, and some parts have steep slopes and stone steps. We strongly recommend that you visit wearing comfortable shoes and clothing. Be careful, especially in rainy weather and after rain, as the ground can be slippery. Also, there are periods when the lift is closed in winter, and snow accumulation can make it difficult to climb the castle, so it is important to check the operation status and weather in advance.