Compared to the heavy beauty of Matsuyama Castle with its black walls and white eaves, I actually prefer Tsuyama Castle's white buildings accented by just a touch of black on the eaves. That lighter, more delicate look is really captivating!
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Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park)
It is a Hirayama castle (a castle on a hill or mountain in plains) with high stone walls, known as a cherry blossom spot.
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Its predecessor was Tsuruyama Castle built by Tadamasa Yamana in 1441, which was abandoned during the Onin and Bunmei Wars. Later, Tadamasa Mori, the younger brother of Ranmaru Mori, known as a close aide of Oda Nobunaga, changed the castle’s name from "Tsuruyama" to "Tsuyama" and began to construct it. The magnificent castle was completed in 1604 after 13 years of work and it is one of the three great Hirayama castles in Japan.
When the castle was built, Ninomaru (outer citadel) and Sannomaru (outermost region of the castle) were placed around the main enclosure where the five-storied castle tower was built, and more than 80 palaces, turrets, and gates were built. Although the buildings were demolished in accordance with an ordinance of castle abandonment in the Meiji period (1868-1912), the magnificent 10-meter-high stonewalls are as they were when the castle was built.
Bitchu turret, the largest turret in Tsuyama Castle and it is said to have had a presence second only to the castle tower, has been restored as a project commemorating the 400th anniversary of the castle's construction. The turret has a tatami-mat room, which is uncommon for a turret, and it is thought that it was used as a part of the main hall because it was connected to the main hall by a corridor. From around the castle tower, a panoramic view of Tsuyama city can be seen.
The area around the castle ruins has been maintained as Kakuzan Park, which is also known as a cherry blossom spot with approximately 1,000 cherry blossoms. During the season, the illuminated cherry blossoms can be seen from the top of the stone walls.
Highlights
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It is one of the "Three Great Hirayama Castles of Japan”, along with Himeji Castle and Matsuyama Castle .
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It is known as a cherry blossom spot and it is illuminated during the season.
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A panoramic view of Tsuyama city can be seen from around the castle tower.
Photos
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Tsuyama Castle in Autumn
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A beautiful combination of autumn leaves and stone walls
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There are many cherry trees on the upper side of the walls as well.
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Cherry blossoms in full bloom
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Bitchu Yagura (Bitchu Turret)
Reviews
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This is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing. It's definitely worth coming here during sakura season!
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The cherry blossoms here are super dense and plentiful. The whole area turns into a breathtaking sea of flowers. At night, you can enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms too. It's packed with people all day long who come to see the sakura.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 津山城
- Postal Code
- 708-0022
- Address
- 135 Sange, Tsuyama City, Okayama
- Telephone
- 0868-22-3310
- Business Hours
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April-September 8:40am - 7:00pm,
October-March 8:40am - 5:00pm
* It opens 7:30am - 10:00pm during Tsuyama Sakura Maturi (Festival) - Closed
- December 29th - 31st
- Admission Fee
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One adult: 310 yen
Junior high school students and under: Free
* Admission is free for up to one person with a physical disability certificate, nursing certificate, mental disability certificate, and one his/her attendant. - Access
- 10 minutes walk from JR Tsuyama Station
- Official Website
- Official Website (English)