Tourist guide

English
Tourist guide
A city situated in the north of Hyogo
prefecture, Asago is well-known for the
“Castle in the Sky”. There is also a silver
mine that represents an important part of
industrial heritage.
Spot
Takeda Castle
Ruins
1
The Takeda Castle was constructed on the mountain
s to
e condition
What are th
?
ai
k
n
U
e
e th
be able to se
rature
ference of tempe
1) Substantial dif
y,
and mid- da
between evening
ty,
idi
m
2) Rise of hu
3) Clear sky,
.
4) Very low wind
til 8am.
s can be seen un
ud
clo
of
a
se
The
the weather
ge de pending on
(This ma y chan
n.)
itio
nd
co
2
at 353 meters of altitude. It is one of the hundred most
famous castles in Japan. In clear autumn mornings,
thick fog can be seen surrounding the castle. This view
creates an illusion of a floating castle. Hence the name,
“Castle in the sky”.
At the moment, a great number of people have
already experienced the magical scenery of the ruins.
It is definitely one of the must-see sites in the Hyogo
Prefecture!
o
Access t
Takeda ns
ui
Castle R
From Wadayama Station (to go to Wadayama, please
refer to the page 12), take the train in the direction of
Teramae and get off at Takeda, the next station.
From Takeda station, there are
two options :
① For the brave ones, you can hike to the top
(about 1 hour). There are three trails: the trail
behind the station, the one behind the shrine
and the south path (see map page 4).
In the tra
in
In front of Takeda Station
② For those in a hurry, you can take a bus
from Takeda Station that will bring you
halfway. The rest can just be done by foot
(about 20mins).
Opening hours
From the end of March to mid-September – 8am to 6pm
From mid-September to the beginning of December –
4am to 5pm
Closed from mid-December to the end of March.
Fees : 500 yen
The stone situated on the Minami
Sen Jo is called “mirror stone”.
Hiking to the Castle
Taking the bus
for Takeda
Castle
Arrived!!
The view is
so gorgeous!
There is a stone
with holes from the
fabrication of the Ishigaki
Wall. Let’s find it.
3
4
Spot
Visiting the town
of Takeda
Let’s climb up to see
this wonderful view.
1
Ritsuun-Kyo Valley
The Ritsuun-Kyo Valley is situated in front
of the Takeda Castle Ruins. It gives you an
excellent spot to see the sea of clouds in
autumn. The valley is also famous for its 300
years old cheery blossom trees, during spring,
the valley becomes beautifully pink.
Lot of souvenirs at
Yamajiro no Sato!
Takeda Machi
You ca
na
souven lso buy local
ir s , the
p
mascot roduc ts and
Ta
of Take
da Cas ke ji
tle.
elicious
d
e
th
t
a
e
ance to
mous
iss the ch bowl with the fa
Don’t m
ce
ri
a
”,
n
o
“Genk i- D on top.
eef
Ta jima b
The information center is
situated in the old distillery EN.
Information Center Tenku no Shiro
History, scale models, reproduction of the stone wall, you will learn
everything there is to know about Takeda from this information
center. Free entrance.
It is very pleasant to take a walk in the old district of Takeda. You can visit temples, an old sake
distillery, souvenir shops, the tourist office (inside Takeda Station) and the information center “Castle
in the Sky” (Tenku no Shiro). All the information about the history of Takeda Castle and the history
of Japanese castle are available in English. Don’t hesitate to taste the “Genki-Don” that you can find
in some restaurants of Takeda district.
5
Ikuno Silver Mine
Spot
2
The exploitation of Ikuno silver mine started in 1542. The mine has been controlled by feudal lords
such as Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa during the Muromachi and Edo
periods.
After the unification of Japan, the Ikuno mine came under the direct control of the government,
then under the jurisdiction of the imperial estate after the restoration of the Emperor. The mine went
through various modernizations with the presence of the French engineer Jean-François Coignet.
A great quantity of silver and mineral has been extracted while the mine was in activity. The Ikuno
silver mine is one of the greatest industrial heritage of Japan that it is possible to visit! Come to learn
more about the story and the industrial heritage of the Ikuno Silver Mine.
6
o
Access t er
ilv
Ikuno S
Mine
From Wadayama Station (to go to Wadayama, please
refer to the page 12), take the train in the direction of
Teramae and get off at Ikuno (about 35mins).
From here two options:
① Take a bus in front of Ikuno station that goes towards Kirakuen
and then get off 8 stops later at “Ikuno Ginzan Guchi” (about 8
mins). From there it will take 10mins to reach the silver mine.
生野銀山口経由
喜楽苑
Bus schedule from Ikuno Station to the Ikuno
silver mine:
Week days: 9 :20, 11 :55, 12 :31, 14 :27, 15 :10
Week-end and holidays: 10 :15, 13 :29, 13 :44
Bus schedule from the Ikuno silver mine to Ikuno
Station:
Week days: 12 :13, 12 :48, 14 :42, 15 :25, 16 :12
Week-end and holidays: 11 :34, 13 :58, 14 :46
② Take a taxi. You can f ind one easily in front of
Ikuno Station.
Take the bus directing to
Kirakuen and get off at “Ikuno
Ginzan Guchi”
In fron
the JR Ikun t of
o stat ion
Sake with gold leaves
inside.
Some of the tunnel was so tiny
that miners could only move on
hands and knees.
A lot of souvenirs can
be found at the mine
shop.
Arrivée!!
Fees: Adults – 900 Yen ~ Junior high school students
– 600 yen ~ Elementary school students – 400 yen ~
Under 6 years old – Free
Opening hours: From April to October : 9am to
5.30pm ~ November : 9am to 5pm ~ December to
February : 9am to 4.30pm ~ March 9.30am to 5pm
Closed on Tuesdays from December to February.
7
8
Lot of craft products,
it is so great!
Spot
Ikuno Village
2
In the Izu tsu
-ya , as we ll as
in the
station, you ca
n buy craft an
d local
produc ts.
Izutsu-ya
A walk in Ikuno will unveil the beauty of
the town. Itzutsu-ya was built in 1832. During the
Edo era, it was forbidden for travelers to stay in
the mine town. There were six inns exclusively for
government officials visiting the mine town to stay
in, Itzutsu-ya is one of them. Today, it is possible
for tourists to visit Itzutsu-ya, which has been
converted into a craft shop where many souvenirs
in the shape of a salamander can be found. Indeed,
the giant Japanese salamander research center is
situated in Ikuno.
Free entrance and closed on Mondays.
Old house of Asada Family
Generations of government off icials
from Asada family played an important
part in the modernization of Ikuno
during the Meiji area.
It is possible to visit the old house.
Free entrance and closed on Mondays.
the “Hay
chance to taste
Don’t miss the
od.
fo
r’s
ional mine
Rice”, the tradit
Café Argent
ashi
The Temple Street (Teramachi) name derived
from the 8 temples it possesses. At the
beginning of the mine exploitation, numerous
young people from all over the country came
to work in the mine. The working conditions
in the mine were diff icult that resulted in
many deaths.
9
Asago, in all seasons...
Autumn - 秋-
Aside from the beautiful sea of clouds that we can witness in
the mornings of autumn, you can also attend the Autumn Festival in the Takeda
district. This festival cannot be missed! It is a famous autumn event where chariots are carried by the
sheer strength of a few men to the beat of Japanese drum music (the weekend before the “sport day”
National Holidays, the second Monday of October).
Spring - 春 The beaut y of the cheer y
blossoms on Takeda Castle and
Ritsuun-Kyo Valley makes the
scenery magical! It is a must-see
during the first two weeks of April.
Winter - 冬 Asago is situated in Tajima region
where there are many mountains
and abundant snow. So, the access
to the Castle is closed from midDecember to mid-March.
Summer -夏A sago cannot escape from the
summer heat and from its summer
festival on the 23rd of August.
10
Kinosaki Onsen
What about visiting
Kinosaki Onsen too?
Kinosaki Onsen is situated on the North of
Asago and it is a must-see hot spring town.
For a traditional experience, you can wear a
Yukata (traditional summer cloth) and walk
around visiting 7 different hot springs (Onsen).
Each Onsen has a different architecture. Baths
are open until 11pm and some baths are open
from 7am which means you have more time to
enjoy them.
Each travelers who stay the night will receive
an Onsen pass which is valid until 10am the
next morning. However, you can also buy a pass for a day trip. It is possible to rent a Yukata and
enjoy the Kinosaki Beer.
Access and further information on the bath
hours and holidays:
http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/global/index.html
11
Access
We are waiting
for you at
Asago!
By Train
From Tokyo [4 hours 20 min.]
Tokyo Station -> Shinkansen -> Kyoto Station -> Limited Expressway (via San-in line)
-> Wadayama Station
From Kyoto [about 1 hour 50 min.]
Kyoto Station -> Limited Expressway (via San-in line) -> Wadayama Station
From Osaka [about 2 hours and 10 min.]
Osaka Station -> Limited Express (via Fukuchiyama Line) -> Wadayama Station
From Kobe [about 2 hours]
Kobe Station -> Limited Express (via Bantan Line) -> Wadayama Station
From Himeji [about 1 hour 10 min.]
Himeji Station -> Limited Express (via Bantan Line) -> Wadayama Station
“Chasurin”, mascot of the city
● Possibility of buying The Japan Rail Pass which allows unlimited travel on Japan Rail trains, buses and ferries.
For more Information : http://www.jrpass.com/
● Possibility of a Japan Rail Pass only for the Kansai area (including Asago City) at 8 500 Yen for 5 days.
For more information : http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/kansai_wide/
For information about Japanese train timetable and direction, please check-out this website:
http://www.hyperdia.com/
Don’t forget to check the website about Asago in English:
12
http://www.city.asago.hyogo.jp/kankou/eng/index-en.html