Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Omi-Hachiman 近江八幡市 > Azuchi Castle 安土城跡

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Built in 1579 by famous warlord Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle was unique for its opulence and octagonal castle tower. Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568–1600) is partially named after this castle. The castle was attacked and destroyed only 3 years later. The castle is on a hill in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture. A replica of the top portion of the castle tower is displayed at a museum nearby the castle ruins. Photo shows the Azuchi Castle marker at the foot of the castle hill.
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Azuchi Castle on Mt. Azuchi is a Special National Historic Site. (特別史跡) The area now occupied by rice paddies were once part of the lake.
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To Mt. Azuchi where Azuchi Castle once stood in Omi-Hachiman. If you don't have a car, rent a bicycle at Azuchi Station (or ride a taxi). The castle site is not very far from Azuchi Station by bicycle.
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Foot of Mt. Azuchi
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Main stairs of Otemichi path
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A lot of impressive stone work remains of Azuchi Castle.
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Site of Hashiba Hideyoshi's quarters at Azuchi Castle.
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Site of Hashiba Hideyoshi's quarters.
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Stone buddha
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Steps to castle tower foundation
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Castle tower foundation
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Castle tower foundation
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Castle tower foundation
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Azuchi Castle tower foundation stones still remain.
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View from atop Mt. Azuchi.
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Lake Nishinoko
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Lake Nishinoko
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Lake Nishinoko
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Also in Azuchi is this museum called the House of Nobunaga (Nobunaga no Yakata) which displays a life-size replica of the top part of Azuchi Castle. MAP
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Azuchi Castle tower replica at House of Nobunaga. Very ornate and beautiful. both outside and inside.
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This Azuchi Castle tower replica was displayed in the Japan Pavilion at the Seville Expo '92 in Spain before it was moved here.
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Azuchi Castle replica
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Azuchi Castle construction
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Azuchi Castle in snowThe castle was made as a snow sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Feb. 2000.
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The unique hexagonal base of the upper section of the Azuchi Castle donjon.
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Oda Nobunaga actually started living in Azuchi Castle's main tower or donjon. Normally, the castle lord resided in a separate palace.
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Poster for the movie "Katen no Shiro" (火天の城) released in Japan on Sept. 12, 2009. It is about the building of Azuchi Castle. Movie review here
     
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