DO NOT FOLLOW GOOGLE MAPS to the highschool, go to 登城口広場 to enter the trail, that is the on’y entrance as there is a fence. the hike and view is quite amazing. enjoy.
Best open summit and 360-degree views for a short 40-minute hike!
Kuroi Castle Ruins is hands down one of my favorite short hikes in Hyogo. The trail takes less than 40 minutes to climb and is very well-maintained. The summit opens up into a large, grassy plain with unobstructed 360-degree views of Tamba City and the surrounding mountains. It’s an incredible spot to bring snacks, lie on the grass, and spend quality time taking in the scenery. Highly recommended!
(June 15, 2019) (Old coordinates moved, comment added) Castle No. 163 of the Top 100 Castles, the stamp is located in Kasuga Resident Center, Tamba City. I didn't specifically look for the stamp's design.
After exiting the station, walk the rest of the way to the castle entrance after obtaining the stamp. There are two routes for attacking the castle: a steep one and a gentle one. The steep route is quite exciting and challenging, but it takes relatively less time to reach the top. For safety and efficiency in terms of attack time, I would recommend taking the steep route uphill and the gentle route downhill. Using the steep route downhill significantly increases the risk.
It was raining heavily the day I came, but determined to make the trip worthwhile, I charged up the castle. Looking back, it was a bit dangerous, with rain constantly washing down from above on the steep route. However, once I reached the top, I saw a different kind of scenery: stone walls shrouded in clouds, with the clouds swirling among the mountains. If I have the chance, I'd like to climb back up and see a different view. Among the top 100 cities, this is one I'll never forget.
If you insist on attacking a city in the rain, I'd suggest simply using the gentler routes up and down the mountain. And even if it's not raining, wear comfortable hiking shoes.
I went to Kuroi Castle, a mountain castle that's not easy to get to.
I went by motorbike, so it was easy, but it was difficult because the locations for the 100 Famous Castles stamp and the castle seal are all separate at the mountain castle.
First, I visited the community center and got my 100 Famous Castles stamp.
After that, I headed up to the mountain castle.
There is a parking lot at the entrance to the castle.
From here, you can choose between a gentle course or a steep course.
Since it was my first time, I didn't know what to do, and Arikoyama Castle, which I visited yesterday, was a lot steeper than I expected, so I was a little scared and chose the gentle course.
Also, I heard that bears haunt this mountain.
This is quite scary.
I played music on my smartphone speaker with the volume turned up to maximum as I made my way.
There is a gate just inside the entrance.
It's supposed to be a gate to keep animals out, but it's not very well made.
A bear would probably destroy it.
I unlocked the door myself and locked it once I was through.
From there it was uphill up the mountain.
: It's a really nice mountain.
The slope wasn't as steep as I'd worried, and it was an enjoyable climb.
There was something like a shrine on the stone steps, where the steep course joined up.
Continuing up the moderate mountain path, I came across another gate, and when I opened it, I could see the stone walls.
Although it's only at the summit, there are sturdy stone walls, and the baileys are quite large with great views.
When you reach the main castle, you can see everything around.
I wasn't as tired as I thought I would be, and it was a very pleasant climb.
I think it took less than 30 minutes to reach the top.
The descent was even quicker, and I was down in no time.
If you take the gentler course, both the ascent and descent are pleasant.
After descending, I went to a roadside station and purchased a castle seal at the tourist information center there.
It was a really nice mountain castle.
Climbed on January 30, 2025
This mountain castle, a representative example of Tanba during the Sengoku period, was ruled by Akai Naomasa, a man renowned for his bravery and feared as the "Red Demon of Tanba." Akai Naomasa, calling himself "Akuemon," commanded powerful local warlords, controlled the three counties of Oku-Tanba (Hikami, Amata, and Ikaruga), and repeatedly invaded Tajima.
When Oda Nobunaga, aiming for national unification, ordered Akechi Mitsuhide to pacify Tanba, two fierce battles took place at Kuroi Castle between Akechi's large army and the Kuroi forces. The Kuroi Castle ruins, with their numerous remnants of the brutal Sengoku period scattered throughout the mountains, are designated a national historic site as a valuable example of a Sengoku castle. It is also designated as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.
We parked in the parking lot in front of Kōzenji Temple and headed towards the Kuroi Castle ruins. I chose a route that ascended via a steep path and descended via a gentler path. Unfortunately, the three-tiered enclosure was not visible, perhaps due to ongoing maintenance.
From Kōzenji Temple, the ruins of Kuroi Castle were faintly visible. The view from the Taiko-no-dan (drum-shaped tier) ruins was excellent, and the stone wall in front of the eastern enclosure ruins was very impressive. The main enclosure, second enclosure, and third enclosure were all flat and easy to move around in. The view from the main enclosure was a spectacular 360-degree panorama, and I could faintly see Kanayama Castle, the residence of Akechi Mitsuhide. It was a view that made me glad I came on a clear winter day. It was wonderful.
