* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Akashi Castle (Kishun Castle / Kinkō Castle)
明石城（喜春城・錦江城）
Akashi Castle (Kishun Castle / Kinkō Castle) is a historic castle in kinki dating from the Built in 1619 (Genna 5), whose lord was Ogasawara Tadazane / Matsudaira clan.
Overview
Akashi Castle was built in 1619 under shogunal order by Ogasawara Tadazane as a strategic fortress to monitor western daimyō after the Osaka Campaign. Two of its original four corner turrets (Tatsumi and Ushitora turrets) survive today as Important Cultural Properties — among the finest extant examples of early Edo castle architecture. Though a main tower was never built, the imposing stone base remains. The Ogasawara clan, lords of the castle, was renowned for archery, horsemanship, and the formal Ogasawara-ryū etiquette school, whose protocols for handling and appreciating swords were followed throughout samurai society.
Connection to Swords
The sword culture of Akashi Castle is rooted in the Ogasawara-ryū etiquette school, which established the formal protocols for wearing, handling, and appreciating swords throughout samurai society. Founder Ogasawara Tadazane was a battle-tested warrior from the Osaka Campaign. Akashi's proximity to the Bizen (Okayama) swordsmithing heartland made it an ideal location for samurai to acquire fine blades. The Matsudaira lords who succeeded the Ogasawara clan received swords from the shogun and commissioned special blades from official swordsmiths. The Akashi City Cultural Museum preserves local warrior history and cultural artifacts.
Highlights
- Two extant corner turrets (Tatsumi and Ushitora, Important Cultural Properties)
- Main tower stone base (honmaru stone platform where the tower was never built)
- Akashi Park cherry blossoms (spring)
- Akashi City Cultural Museum
- Akashi Municipal Planetarium (Japan Standard Time meridian 135°E)
- Uonotana fish market (Akashi octopus and sea bream)
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.