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[Hyogo Prefecture Asago City] Takeda Castle Ruins: Recommended Information for the Sea of Clouds Season! [Japan's Machu Picchu]
Autumn is the season when seas of clouds are more likely to appear over Takeda ruins
Takeda Castle Ruins is most likely to be covered in sea of clouds from late September to the end of November.
The best time to see it is if you arrive at Takeda Castle Ruins at Hinode in the early morning (around 6:00 AM).
I hope that by reading this article, you will learn more about Takeda Castle ruins and the sea of clouds.
Conditions for the occurrence of a sea of clouds
It occurs mainly in the early morning on a clear day.
Conditions include a temperature difference of 10 degrees or more from the previous day and weak winds.
The probability is higher if a dense fog warning is issued for Asago City on the day.
Asabura's Sea of Clouds Forecast takes into account temperature and other conditions and predicts whether a sea of clouds will appear early the next morning.
Please also refer to this. (Updated every day at 4pm)
Asabura | Takeda Castle Asago City, Tajima | Asago City Portal Site
(External link Asabura website)
Takeda Castle Ruins viewing hours
Viewing hours (reception hours at the fee collection building)
5:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Time allowed for each trail (when climbing the castle)
Gate of the West Trail (the trail from "Yamashiro no Sato (marked as A on the access map)"): Open from 4:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Gates for the trail behind the station, the Omotemai Shrine trail, and the South trail (the trail from the parking lot near National Route 312 (shown as "B1, B2, C1" on the access map)): Open from 5:00 AM to 4:30 PM (However, please note that if you pass through the gate for the South trail at 4:30 PM, you will not make it in time for the closing time if you descend the mountain via the South trail after ascending and viewing the castle.)
*The access map is at the bottom of the page.
Final closing time for each trail (when descending)
West Trail (Yamashiro no Sato) closes at 6:30 PM
The trails behind the station, Omotemai Shrine trail, and South trail close at 6:00 PM.
How to climb the Takeda Castle ruins
・Approximately 40 minutes on the west hiking trail from the tourist facility "Yamashiro no Sato" parking lot (A)
・From Takeda Castle Ruins/Ritsuunkyo Parking Lot (B1) or Takeda Castle Town Tourist Parking Lot (B2), take the trail behind Takeda Station or the Omotemai Shrine trail for about 40 minutes, or the south trail for about 60 minutes.
On all days in September, October, and December, and on weekdays in November, during the early morning hours when the sea of clouds is most likely to appear, you will need to walk approximately 40 to 50 minutes from the parking lot, regardless of the route you take.
*Please note that the "Early Morning Sea of Clouds Bus" operates on weekends and holidays in November, during the early morning hours when the sea of clouds is most likely to appear.
For more information about the early morning sea of clouds bus, please see this page. (External link: Zentan Bus website)
(External link: Zentan Bus website)
About each hiking trail
West Trail : This is the trail to take if you start climbing the castle from the parking lot at the tourist facility "Yamashiro no Sato."
The trail is paved with asphalt and is easy to climb.
It is 2.3km from the parking lot to the toll gate and takes about 40 minutes. If you take the Unkai bus or taxi, it is 1km from the boarding point halfway up the mountain and takes about 20 minutes.
Hiking trail behind the station : A hiking trail located behind JR Takeda Station.
The trail is untouched and can be quite steep. There are signs pointing out the path.
It is 900m from the trailhead to the toll booth and takes about 40 minutes.
Omome Shrine Hiking Trail : A hiking trail that passes through Omome Shrine on Takeda Teramachi Street.
There are 460 steps and it is a very steep mountain path.
It takes about 40 minutes and is 1.2 km from the trailhead to the toll gate.
South Trail : A trail south of Takeda Teramachi Street.
The road is paved with asphalt, so please be careful as Unkai buses and taxis will be coming down from ahead.
It is 2.1km from the trailhead to the toll gate and takes about an hour.
Access Map
What to wear and bring when climbing the castle early in the morning
Even if you take a reserved taxi or the Unkai bus that runs early in the morning on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in November, you will still need to walk the 900 meters from the "Taxi Pick-up/Drop-off Point/ Takeda Castle Ruins Bus Stop" on the mountainside to the castle ruins entrance (toll collection building).
There are stairs and uneven terrain within the castle ruins, so please wear comfortable clothing that is easy to walk in, such as sneakers. Other necessary items are listed below.
Flashlight: Takeda and Ritsuunkyo Gorge are not equipped with electric lights. This is something you will never forget.
Raincoat: The sea of clouds is a mass of water vapor, so you need a raincoat to avoid getting soaked by being enveloped in the clouds.
Cold weather gear: This is more likely to occur when the mornings are very cold, and temperatures at the summit can drop below zero, so cold weather gear is essential.
Drinking water: You will sweat as you walk, so please bring warm drinks with you if possible. Water cannot be purchased at the summit.
Bells/Radios: We recommend making noise while walking to avoid encountering wild animals.
Recent sea of clouds photos
For information on access to Asago City, click here
