Tenjinyama Castle (Inaba)
布勢天神山城
A samurai-era stronghold with stone walls, moats and a view from the keep.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
What this place is
Tenjinyama Castle (天神山城, Tenjinyama-jō) also known as Fuse-Tenjinyama Castle is the remains of a castle structure in Tottori (city), Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Its ruins have been protected as a Prefectural Historic Sites. The castle was the Shogosho (Shugo daimyo's residence or main bastion) of the Inaba Yamana clan. The castle was built by Yamana Katutoyo in 1446. In 1573, Yamana Toyokuni moved Inaba Yamana clan's main bastion to Tottori castle. At the same time, The keep of the castle was moved to Tottori castle.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- Massive dry-stone walls and moats built without mortar — the engineering is as impressive as the tower above it.
- A main keep (tenshu) you can climb, with each floor showing armour, weapons and castle-town models.
- Grounds that double as the town's best park: cherry blossoms in spring, maples in autumn, illumination at night.
What you can do here
- Climb to the top floor for a 360° view over the castle town and surrounding mountains.
- Walk the full circuit of the moat and outer baileys — the gates and turrets are free to see from outside.
- Rent a kimono or samurai costume nearby for photos in front of the keep.
- Time your visit with a seasonal festival or evening light-up, when the walls are lit from below.
Getting there
We do not have step-by-step transit directions for this spot yet. Open the location on Google Maps for routes from where you are staying.
Good to know before you go
- Keep interiors have steep wooden stairs and a shoes-off rule — wear socks and easy-to-remove shoes.
- Last admission is usually 30 minutes before closing; arrive early on weekends.
- The park around the castle is normally free even when the keep charges admission.
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