Takashima Sengoku Historical Site Tour: From Mountain Castles to Flat Castles - From Warring Castles to Political Castles -

Takashima Sengoku Historical Site Tour: From Mountain Castles to Flat Castles - From Warring Castles to Political Castles

During the Sengoku period, most castles were mountain castles that placed emphasis on defense as bases for territorial control, and were truly fighting castles. Many mountain castles were built in the city, including Shimizuyama Castle, the largest in the west of Lake Biwa and the residence of the head family of the Nishi Sasaki clan, and Tanaka Castle, the residence of the Tanaka clan of the Nishi Sasaki clan. Towards the end of the Sengoku period, castles were built on flat land as economic and political bases, rather than as fighting castles. Omizo Castle, built in 6 by Oda Nobuzumi, nephew of Oda Nobunaga, is a water castle that skillfully uses Otome-ga-ike Pond, and is located at a strategic point for water transportation on Lake Biwa and the Nishi Omi Road, making it a true political and economic base. The area around Omizo Castle was taken over by the Wakebe clan, who came from Ise Ueno in 1578, and developed. The scenery of the castle town has been passed down to the present day. Why not follow the transition from a fighting castle (military base) to a political base and experience history from the Middle Ages to the early modern period?

Day 1

From JR Azumigawa Station

Approx. 5 hours

Tanaka Castle Ruins

Acitivity TimeApprox. 1 hour
Tanaka Castle, believed to be the residence of the Nishi Sasaki clan, is a medieval mountain castle with remains of moats, earthworks, and hiding places for warriors at key points to ward off enemies, suggesting that it was a fortress of considerable size. The remains can still be seen today in the mountains.

The map is available at the entrance to Tanaka Castle.

For guide inquiries,　
Kosai Dream Hometown Waiwai Club
TEL：090-4687-7589
Price: 1 yen for 10-5,000 people, 11 yen per person for 500 or more people

Address Tanaka, Azumigawa-cho, Takashima City
Phone Number 0740-33-7101 (Biwako Takashima Tourism Association)

See spot details

Approx. 10 hours

Roadside Station Fujiki no Sato Adogawa

Acitivity TimeApprox. 30 hours
The facility operates as a place where many tourists can enjoy themselves, with a focus on providing tourist information for Takashima City and selling local specialties, as well as a workshop where visitors can experience making folding fans, a local industry. There are restaurants, snack and convenience stores, an information corner and rest area, etc.

Address 1162-1 Aoyagi, Azumigawa-cho, Takashima City
Phone Number 0740-32-8460

See spot details

Approximately 10 minutes (Paid parking is available around Omi-Takashima Station)

Omizo Castle Ruins and Otomegaike Pond

Acitivity TimeApprox. 1 hour
Omizo Castle is said to have been designed by Akechi Mitsuhide. Excavations have uncovered remains thought to be a wharf on the north side of the main citadel, giving a vague picture of Omizo Castle as a castle that used Otome-ga-ike Pond as its outer moat and made clever use of the water transport on Lake Biwa. It evokes the castle's past as a water castle on the shores of Lake Biwa.

For guide inquiries,　
Omizo Waterfront Landscape Urban Planning Council
TEL：0740-36-2011
Price: 500 yen per person

Address Katsuno, Takashima City
Phone Number 0740-36-2011 (Omizo Town Guide Center Main Gate)

See spot details

Approx. 5 hours

Takashima Village

Acitivity TimeApprox. 1 hour
The Katsuno district of Takashima City is an old castle town with an atmosphere of the past. The Jinya Somon Gate and samurai residences still remain to this day. In one corner of the area, a 150-year-old merchant's house that once operated as an oil business has been hand-renovated by volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and reborn as "Villege." Currently, buildings 1 to 8 are housed here. After strolling around and reminiscing about history, you can enjoy meals, experiences and shopping.

Address 1400 Katsuno, Takashima City
Phone Number 0740-33-7101 (Biwako Takashima Tourism Association)

See spot details

Approx. 5 hours

Shirahige Shrine

Acitivity TimeApprox. 1 hour
There is a large vermilion torii gate in the middle of the lake, and the main shrine is located across National Route 161. Widely known by the names "Shirahige-san" and "Myojin-san," this is the oldest shrine in Omi, and is also known as Omi's Itsukushima.

Address 215 Ukawa, Takashima City
Phone Number 0740-36-1555

See spot details

Approx. 10 hours

Staying in Takashima City

Day 2

Takashima City Accommodation

Accommodation page

Shimizuyama castle ruins

Acitivity Timeabout 1 hour 30 minutes
Said to be the castle of the head family of the Nishi Sasaki clan, it has a rare group of ridged moats and one of the largest moats in the prefecture. From the summit to the mountainside, remains of the mountain castle, such as earthworks and moats, as well as the remains of the residence grounds remain. The Shimizuyama Castle Ruins, Shimizuyama Ruins, and Hondodani Ruins are designated as a national historic site as the remains of Shimizuyama Castle.

Recommended course: Shin-Asahi Forest Sports Park - Nishiyashiki - Main Castle - (round trip)
The map is available at Shin-Asahi Forest Sports Park.

Address Kumanomoto, Shinasahi-cho, Takashima City
Phone Number 0740-33-7101 (Biwako Takashima Tourism Association)

See spot details

Approx. 5 hours

Takashima Marugoto Department Store

Acitivity TimeApprox. 30 hours
We have a wide selection of Takashima City's specialty products, including food, local sake, crafts, and textiles. Since the National Fermented Food Summit in 2013, we have a wide selection of fermented foods, Takashima Chijimi clothing, whose quality has been known nationwide through the Cool Biz movement, and Takashima Canvas bags.