|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Foot of Mt. Azuchi
|
|
Main stairs of Otemichi path
|
|
|
A lot of impressive stone work remains of Azuchi Castle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Site of Hashiba Hideyoshi's quarters at Azuchi Castle.
|
|
|
Site of Hashiba Hideyoshi's quarters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stone buddha
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steps to castle tower foundation
|
|
Castle tower foundation
|
|
Castle tower foundation
|
|
Castle tower foundation
|
|
Azuchi Castle tower foundation stones still remain.
|
|
|
View from atop Mt. Azuchi.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lake Nishinoko
|
|
|
|
|
Lake Nishinoko
|
|
Lake Nishinoko
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
Azuchi Castle tower replica at House of Nobunaga. Very ornate and beautiful. both outside and inside.
|
|
|
|
This Azuchi Castle tower replica was displayed in the Japan Pavilion at the Seville Expo '92 in Spain before it was moved here.
|
|
|
Azuchi Castle replica
|
|
|
|
Azuchi Castle construction
|
|
|
Azuchi Castle in snowThe castle was made as a snow sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Feb. 2000.
|
|
|
|
The unique hexagonal base of the upper section of the Azuchi Castle donjon.
|
|
|
Oda Nobunaga actually started living in Azuchi Castle's main tower or donjon. Normally, the castle lord resided in a separate palace.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
