Akashi Park & Akashi Castle
明石公園・明石城
A castle-site park across from Akashi Station, where two surviving triple-story turrets face each other. Cherry blossom season makes it a famous Hyogo spot.
Akashi Castle was built by Ogasawara Tadaoki in 1619. It has no main keep, but the Tatsumi and Hitsujisaru turrets on either side of the former keep base are two of the twelve surviving triple-story turrets in Japan, designated Important Cultural Properties. The whole site is Hyogo Prefectural Akashi Park, with a large pond, the Musashi Garden designed by swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (admission fee), and sports facilities. About 1,000 cherry trees bloom in spring. The park is free; the turrets open to the public on weekends and on certain dates. It is right outside JR/San’yo Akashi Station and can be combined with Uonotana Shopping Street for a half-day outing.
Opening hours
Park open all day; Musashi Garden approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Uonotana Shopping Street
- Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Maiko Marine Promenade
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Ijokaku)
- Sumaura Sanjo Yuen
- Kobe Suma Sea World
- Sorakuen Garden
- Meriken Park & Kobe Harborland
- Nankinmachi Chinatown