Tottori Castle Ruins Tenkyu Maru
Tottori Castle Ruins are remains of a feudal-era castle on Kyusho-zan (Mount Kyusho) in Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture. Constructed in the 16th century during the Sengoku period, the castle served as the Ikeda clan's seat during the Edo period. Historical prominence came from the Siege of Tottori in 1581, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces besieged the castle for months, causing starvation and surrender in one of Japan's most brutal sieges. Meiji Restoration orders dismantled castle structures, leaving stone walls, moats, and foundations. Tenkyu Maru (Heaven's Sphere Circle) refers to a specific enclosure within the complex, part of the inner defensive structures.
The ruins are a designated National Historic Site preserving the castle's layout, stone fortifications, and historical associations. Remaining stone walls show sophisticated Edo-period construction with massive mortarless stones. The mountaintop position provided strategic advantage, controlling coastal plains and Tottori approaches. The ruins memorialize castle history, particularly the 1581 siege, representing Tottori's feudal heritage. The site demonstrates Japanese castle architecture and military history through preserved foundations and defenses.
Visitors explore ruins via hiking trails up Kyusho-zan, requiring approximately 30 to 40 minutes moderate uphill walking. Trails pass through forested slopes to enclosures and stone walls. At the summit, ruins include foundation stones, some reconstructed structures, and extensive stone fortifications. Interpretive signs explain castle layout, history, and architecture. Tenkyu Maru represents inner defensive positions with stone foundations. The summit provides 360-degree views of Tottori City, mountains, plains, and Sea of Japan coastline. Cherry trees create spring viewing spots.
Tottori Castle Ruins are 20 to 30 minutes walking from JR Tottori Station to the trailhead. Local buses serve the area. Tottori is accessible via the JR San'in Main Line: approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from Kyoto or Osaka by limited express with transfers. Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport is 20 minutes by bus. Admission is free.
