Ruins of Tottori Castle

Ruins of Tottori Castle

Tottori Castle is a castle built on Mt. Hisamatsu with 263 meters in height, in the northeastern part of Tottori city. The exact date of its construction is unclear, but one hypothesis suggests that it was built in the first half of the sixteenth century by YAMANA Nobumichi(1543-1611), the governor of Inaba Province (the present-day Tottori Prefecture).

During the Warring States Age in the sixteenth century, the YAMANA clan was engaged in continuous conflict between the YAMANA clan, governors of Inaba Province (the present-day Tottori Prefecture) and the YAMANA clan, governors of Tajima Province (the present-day the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture). During this time, ODA Nobunaga(1534-1582) also extended his power into this region.

In 1580, HASHIBA Hideyoshi(1537-1598), a retainer of Nobunaga, attacked Tottori Castle. After a three-month siege, YAMANA Toyokuni(1548-1626) surrendered to Nobunaga. Afterward, KIKKAWA Tsuneie(1547-1581), a retainer of the MORI clan, became the castle lord, but in 1581, Hideyoshi attacked Tottori Castle again.

In 1600, IKEDA Nagayoshi (1570-1614) became the first lord of the Tottori Domain. In the Edo Age (1603-1868), IKEDA Mitsumasa (1609-1682) was transferred from Himeji Castle in 1617. In 1632, KEDA Mitsunaka (1630-1693) became the lord of Okayama Domain, when he was three years old. Because he was very young, there was an exchange of territories between Okayama Domain and Tottori Domain, and the IKEDA Mitsunaka family line continued until the Meiji Age.

Tottori Castle's layout is broadly divided into two areas: the "Yamagami-no-maru", located at the summit of Mt. Hisamatsu, and the "Yamashita-no-maru", at the foot of the mountain. The "Yamagami-no-maru" retains a strong atmosphere from the Warring States Age in the sixteenth century. In the Edo Age, IKEDA Mitsumasa renovated the baileys, including the "Tenkyu-maru" and the second baileys in the" Yamashita-no-maru", making it a castle befitting the Tottori Domain.

Entry to Tottori Castle was through the "Kita-no-Gomon" Gate, which served as the rear gate.

To the right after entering the castle area from the "Kita-no-Gomon" Gate , an elegant building is located. This is "Jinpukaku".

This building was constructed in 1907 by IKEDA Nakahiro, the sixteenth head of the Tottori IKADA Clan, when Emperor Taisho, then Crown Prince, visited Tottori Area. It's said to be in the French Renaissance style, and the white building is very beautiful. It was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1973.

Please refer the pages of "Jinpukaku Hall" :
http://cf916626.cloudfree.jp/HandE_Japan/TravelDestinations/Chugoku/JinpukakuHall_E.html

I continued to walk further from Jinpukaku, and turned left at the foot of Mt. Hisamatsu. "Naka-Shikiri-Mon" Gate is located just beyond the left turn.

"Naka-Shikiri-Mon" Gate is a reconstruction of the one that collapsed in the 1943 Tottori Earthquake. "Naka-Shikiri-Mon" Gate retains much of its appearance and atmosphere of the Edo Age.

After passing "Naka-Shikiri-Mon" Gate, the stone walls of the second bailey towered on the left. In front of it, the stone steps leading to the second bailey continued.

I passed through the foot of the stone walls of the second bailey. From the southeastern corner of the foot of the second bailey, the view of the magnificent stone walls is so impressive.

I went back to the stone steps located at the other side of the stone walls, and headed to the second bailey. The palace buildings of the lord were located in the second bailey during the Edo Age.

In the middle of the second bailey was the base of the three-story turret. There were benches on the turret base, and a couple was sitting there, looking very happy together.

From the turret base, you can see a panoramic view of Downtown Tottori. "Jinpukaku" is visible below.

At the southeastern end of the second bailey, the stone walls of the base of the "Hishi-Yagura", diamond-shaped turret, remain. Further southeast of the second bailey, "Tenkyumaru" Bailey is located. From the "Hishi-Yagura", diamond-shaped turret to "Tenkyumaru" Bailey, multiple layers of stone walls can be seen. It is a truly impressive sight.

I headed to "Tenkyumaru" Bailey through the sight of "Furoya-Gomon" Gate. From the stone base of "Furoya-Gomon" gate turret, "Tenkyumaru" Bailey was visible.

When you arrive at "Tenkyumaru" Bailey, you will see the sight of "Tetsu-Gomon" Gate. "Tetsu-Gomon" Gate was the main gate for the second bailey and it was located below "Furoya-Gomon" Gate.

"Tetsu-Gomon" Gate was a magnificent square-shaped gate, and the stone walls of the turret gate remain intact. Below the site of "Tetsu-Gomon" Gate lay the site of the third bailey. The site of the third bailey is now the grounds of Tottori Nishi High School.

"Tenkyumaru" Bailey is located at the highest point of "Yamashita-no-maru" at the foot of Mt. Hisamatsu, and its sides are surrounded by stone walls. These stone walls feature spherical stonework.

This spherical stonework is very unique. Tottori Castle was the only example in Japan. The spherical stonework was built around 1807 with the purpose of repairing the stone walls that were on the verge of collapsing.

After visiting the "Yamashita-no-maru" Area, I headed to the "Yamagami-no-maru" on the top of Mt. Hisamatsu. You can reach "Yamagami-no-maru" from beside Nakasaka Inari Shrine on the north side of the second bailey. The family crest on the shrine's curtain is the "Inshu butterfly" crest of the IKEDA Clan of the Tottori Domain.

Another path to "Yamagami-no-maru" continues from Tenkyumaru. There was a "Beware of Bears" sign beside this path, which made me feel quite cautious.

Along the path, there are guideposts at one tenth of the way to the summit, serving as a helpful guide for your ascent. The photo in the lower left shows the point approximately three-tenths of the way to the summit.

To reach the "Yamagami-no-maru" of Tottori Castle, you climb a relative height of about 200 meters. I encountered several people along the way.

After about thirty minutes of climbing from "Yamashita-no-maru", the stone walls of the main bailey at "Yamagami-no-maru" came into view.

There are benches in the main bailey of the top of Mt. Hisamatsu. From here, you can see the entire city of Tottori. It is a truly magnificent view.

Behind the main bailey, the base of the main castle tower is located. From there, you can see the Sea of Japan in the distance. You can also faintly see the well-known Tottori Sand Dunes.

Tottori Castle offers a fulfilling stroll, with the "Yamagami-no-maru", baileys at the top of Mt. Hiusamatsu, retaining the atmosphere of a medieval mountain castle, and "Yamashita-no-maru", the lower baileys, showcasing the magnificent stone walls of a modern castle.