Takatsuki city – 日本200名城バイリンガル (Japan's top 200 castles and ruins)

Later History

After Akutagawa-san Castle was abandoned, part of the ruins was turned into a farm. In the Edo Period, people at a village on the foot of the mountain built a shrine for worshiping Nagayoshi Miyoshi on the top. The shrine is still there. Takatsuki City has continued to investigate and study the ruins of the castle since 1993. It found that the castle was unique and important in Japanese history. It also aims to have the ruins designated as a National Historic Site.

The shrine for worshiping Nagayoshi Miyoshi (licensed by ブレイズマン via via Wikimedia Commons)

The signpost at the Main Enclosure

The remaining stone walls of the Main Gate

My Impression

When I stood on the top of the mountain, I felt that I found the reason why Nagayoshi chose this castle as his home base. It could be because he was able to see his Settsu Province from the top of the mountain. This would allow him to see what was happening in the province, and easily rush there if needed. In addition, the castle provided him with enough security to live. I was also wondering if he considered Ikoma Mountains as his next home base when he saw them from Akutagawa-san Castle. If he could have a castle on the mountains, he would monitor his province from both sides of the north and south, which would make his governance more stable.

A view from the top

Ikoma Mountains where Imori Castle was built

Features

Walking from Bus Stop

Now the ruins of Akutagawa-san Castle are private owned and not developed as a public park. Visitors usually have to walk from the nearest bus stop. You may be unsure which mountain you should climb and how you go to the ruins. It is a good idea to bring the route map called “Access to the Summit of Mt. Miyoshi” which you can download from the website of Takatsuki City. After about a 15-minute walk from the bus stop, the route is divided in to two branches. You can choose either of the two routes.

The map around the castle

Access to the Summit of Mt. Miyoshi (exhibited by Takatsuki City Website)

Tsukawaki Route

One of them is called Tsukawaki Route which goes around on the eastern side of the mountain and has a gentle slope. You can see a lot of the ruins of enclosures, but cannot enter them, because the route is surrounded by fences, so accessible areas are limited. You can also see the earthen walls crossing the route at a 90-degree angle. They are called Tate-Dorui or the Vertical Earthen Walls which prevented enemies from attacking the castle from other positions. You will also see the narrow earthen bridge with both sides having dry moats. The purpose of the system is the same as the Vertical Earthen Walls. You can even see something like the ruins of the alternate entrance.

The Vertical Earthen Walls *(licensed by ブレイズマン via via Wikimedia Commons)*

The ruins which might have been the alternate entrance

Main Route

The other branch route is called Otesuji Route or the Main Route which goes straight up to the mountain. It is steep and rocky. You can see some old stone walls around the entrance of the mountain, but they seem to be not original for the castle. The route is also surrounded by fences and you even have to pass through a door for preventing wild boars from entering the area. Take care to close it after entering or leaving. After about a 15-minute climb, you will see the stone walls of the Main Gate. The center part of them collapsed, however they are original to the castle.

The stone walls around the entrance of the route

The remaining stone walls of the Main Gate

Great view from Main Enclosure

The two branch routes meet above the stone walls, as you approach the Main Enclosure on the top. The outside field will suddenly become visible; it provides a great view of the Osaka Plain. You will finally reach the Main Enclosure after another few minutes of climbing. The enclosure has been cleared to create an open space. The excavations found that the traces of the buildings which might have been used as turrets at the front, and the stone foundations of the building which could have been used as Nagayoshi Miyoshi’s Main Hall. You can enjoy the whole view of the plain including the tall buildings in Osaka City and the Ikoma Mountains where Imori Castle became Nagayoshi’s new home base after Akutagawa-san Castle.