The castle stands on a steep 325m hill formed of ash from an ancient eruption of Mt. Aso. The castle is protected by the Inaba River to the north and the Shirataki River to the south. It was founded in 1185. Legend has it that Ogata Koreyoshi built the castle to receive Minamoto Yoshitsune with whom he wished to form an alliance. It was extended by Shiga Sadatomo and the masonry foundations were built in 1594 by Nakagawa Hideshige, ruler of the Oka domain. Like the castles of many other feudal lords, the superstructure was destroyed after the Meiji Restoration and today only the stone foundations of residential buildings and gateways remain. Nevertheless, the ruins on this 100 hectare site are well worth a visit.

Open: 9:00-17:00
Admission: 300 Yen
2761 Oaza-Taketa Taketa City