After the Meiji Restoration, Akashi Castle was abandoned, and most of its buildings were sold or demolished. However, people in Akashi started to preserve the ruins of the castle as a park. Akashi Park was opened by private owners in 1883 and reopened by the local government in 1918. The four three-story turrets couldn’t all survive through the difficult period. One of them was sold as material for a school. Another one and the plaster walls between the turrets were demolished probably due to deterioration. The rest of the two turrets were somehow repaired and remain. Both were finally designated as Important Cultural Properties in 1957.
The Main Enclosure (on the left) and the Second Enclosure (on the right) that can be seen from Akashi StationThe entrance of Akashi Park (the ruins of Akashi Castle)
My Impression
The ruins of Akashi Castle certainly have few buildings, but I think the two remaining turrets and the plaster wall between them can still show us the authority of the castle. I also think that the castle uses the natural terrain wisely and its well-designed defense system is obvious throughout. Nothing special like a war happened at the castle. As a result, the castle was able to fulfill its role of monitoring the lords.
The stone wall base for the Main Tower (from the outside of the Main Enclosure)The stone wall base for the Main Tower (from the inside of the Main Enclosure)Ko-no-ike Pond at the back of the Main Enclosure
How to get There
If you want to visit there by car: It is about 10 minutes away from Okuradani IC on Daini Shinmei Road. The park offers parking lots. By train, it takes about 5 minutes on foot from Akashi Station. To get to Akashi Station from Tokyo or Osaka: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express, and transfer to the Sanyo Line at Nishi-Akashi Station.
