Takeda Castle in Japan, shrouded in mist, against a backdrop of lush greenery.
Majestic Takeda Castle rises above misty landscape in Japan.

Takeda, the Castle in the Sky

On l’appelle le Château dans le Ciel ou encore le Machu Picchu du Japon. Rien que ça 😉

Takeda Castle is always popular, and even more so in autumn. Why? Just because that’s the best time to have a chance to admire it surrounded by clouds! Hence its many nicknames such as Castle in the Sky or the Machu Picchu of Japan. To be sure not to miss anything, I reach the site at sunrise.

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After the short climb of 3 kilometres, with camera bag slung from my shoulder and my drone’s heavy case, my tongue is hanging out! This doesn’t fail to amuse the handful of Japanese visitors already there, for whom I have to pose a few minutes for pictures.

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

Once alone, I prepare the drone at a little parking space for security staff, just before you reach the castle itself. With my head in the clouds (literally), I anxiously wonder if the castle is in the same state as me. Beep-beep-beep, bzzzzzzzzzzzzz, I send the drone (noisy, these things) swirling through the thick fog. It rises, rises, the cloud layer never-ending … But at last the castle appears right under its nose!

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

Difficult to fly in these conditions because the drone appears to be in a different world, but the main problem is that it’s completely out of my sight. Radio contact can also be very quickly lost in these conditions. So while being careful I’m trying to fly over the ruins and take a few panoramic views.

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

Flight over, I set off on foot. Without the drone case this time, cautiously left in the care of the little woman in charge! Only in Japan.

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

This castle was built in 1443 as a hilltop fort like Himeji. Amazing isn’t it? It then changed hands several times until abandoned in 1600 to become a haikyo, after the suicide of the last samurai owner.

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

Hundreds of years later it’s being mobbed by tourists who are destroying it with their trampling feet and crazy drones.

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

As usual my photos are misleading. I’m surrounded by hundreds of tourists whom I try to avoid, but my own shadow is the worst problem (with an annoying tendency to butt into all my pictures).

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

As you may have realized, I’m not keen on video. But anyway I decided to make one of the castle, which you can find here on my YouTube.

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

Doesn’t this structure (above) remind you of anything? I can’t help but think of Gunkanjima.

In winter

I also visited the castle a few years ago, in winter. Clear sky, crisp coldness, snow, but a much more serene experience. The spring looks like it would be very pleasant too, because of the cherry blossom.

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, snow, sunrise

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

castle, hyogo, japan, japanese, kansai, natural, nature, sky, sunrise

The site is quite isolated but if you’re spending a few days in Osaka you can take a day trip to visit the castle. Don’t think twice.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

Instagram

Waterfall whispers, Sunbeams dance with lush green life— Harmony's embrace.  滝のささやき、 日光は緑と踊る— 調和の抱擁。  #waterfall #forestmagic #japaneselandscape #naturephotography #serenity #offbeatjapan #japan
Pearl bridge in the wind, White and blue in harmony, Sky whispers softly. 風に白橋、 調和する青、 空は静か。 #AkashiKaikyoBridge #PearlBridge #offbeatjapan #Japan #EngineeringMarvel #ScenicJapan #UrbanNature #BridgeViews
Azure seas below, Cliffs embrace in vibrant hues, Nature's tapestry.青い海 鮮やかな崖たち 自然の織物#offbeatjapan #japan #okinawa #naturephotography #islandparadise #coastlineviews #japantravel
Whispering night glows, Canal mirrors earth and sky, Dreams float on waters. 囁く夜輝く、 運河が地と空を映す、 夢が水上に浮かぶ。 #OtaruMagic #Nightscape #HokkaidoViews #OtaruCanal #ReflectiveWaters #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Golden light whispers, Stones scattered like ancient dreams, Nature's quiet tales. ---黄金の光、 古代の夢のように石散る、 自然の静かな物語。---#karstlandscape #Akiyoshidai #yamaguchi #hiddenjapan #serenebeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Concrete arch whispers, Shattered glass mirrors echoes— Ghosts of grandeur fade. ---コンクリートのアーチの囁き、 砕けたガラスは反響を映す— 壮麗の亡霊は消えゆく。 ---#haikyo #urbanexploration #decayingbeauty #ghostsofarchitecture #offbeatjapan #abandonedjapan #japan
Cedar shadows dance, Sun-kissed moss whispers softly— A sacred journey. 杉の影踊る 陽の光が苔囁く 聖なる道 #offbeatjapan #japan #hiddenpath #forestmagic #sacredjourney #cedartrees #nature whispers
Pink lanterns aglow, Sakura whispers to night, Reflections of dreams. ---ピンクランタン 夜に囁く桜 夢の映り ---#sakura #hanami #cherryblossoms #nightview #japantravel #offbeatjapan #japan