It was the first early modern castle in the San'in region, and construction began at the end of the Sengoku Period (Warring State Period, 1467-1615). It is also known as "Kume Castle." It is located on the summit of Mt. Minato, approximately 90 meters above sea level, approximately 1 km west of Yonago Station, and overlooks the Naka Sea.
It became a branch castle of the Tottori Domain at the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1867). It is also referred to as a rare castle with a "twin castle keep," which consists of a five-story castle keep and a four-story turret (a secondary castle keep).
Only the stonewalls and foundation stones remain today, but the records and visual materials are in good condition, and the castle was designated as a National Historic Site in 2006 (a part of San-no-maru was additionally designated in 2021). A model of Yonago Castle and other items are on display at the Yonago City San'in Historical Museum, so it is worth seeing there as well.
It's also a popular walking trail, and it takes about 15 minutes to get from the bottom to the top. From the top of the mountain, which is part of the Minatoyama Park, you can see the city of Yonago, the national park Daisen, the Shimane Peninsula, and the Nakaumi Lake. It's also a popular spot for sunset and nighttime views.
Highlights
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It is a rare castle with a "twin castle keep," as it was the first early modern castle in the San'in region.
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It is also an excellent walking trail, taking only 15 minutes to reach the summit of the mountain.
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The castle is also a great place to take in the stunning view, both day and night.
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A flashlight is essential when walking along the mountain path at night.
