Kuroi Castle

Kuroi Castle, also known as Hogetsu Castle or Hōzuki Castle, stands as one of Japan's most significant Sengoku period mountain fortresses, perched atop 356-meter Mount Ino in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Built by Akai Naomasa at the end of the 16th century, this strategically positioned castle controlled the vital Hikami basin and served as a crucial military stronghold during Japan's turbulent Warring States era.

The castle holds special historical significance as the birthplace of Lady Kasuga, the influential wet nurse of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun. Recognizing its exceptional archaeological and historical value, the Japanese government designated the castle ruins as a National Historic Site in 1989. The site represents a quintessential example of Sengoku period mountain castle architecture and defensive engineering.

Visitors can experience Kuroi Castle as both a historical site and a rewarding hiking destination, with the trek to the summit taking approximately 50 minutes along well-maintained mountain trails. Two main hiking routes provide access: the gentler Nadaraka Course for ascent and the steeper Kyūzaka Course for descent, creating an ideal loop hike. The castle ruins offer spectacular panoramic views from the mountaintop, and during autumn months, visitors may witness the famous "sea of clouds" phenomenon that has earned it comparison to the renowned Takeda Castle as a "castle in the sky."

Access to Kuroi Castle begins with rail travel to the Tamba region, easily reachable from major Kansai cities with approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe to JR Kaibara Station via JR Sasayamaguchi Station. From Kaibara Station, local transportation or taxi service connects visitors to the trailhead parking area near the castle base. The ruins are located at 1597 Kuroi, Kasuga-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. The hiking trail itself requires no admission fees, making it an accessible destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Visitors should wear appropriate hiking footwear and carry water, especially during warmer months.