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.

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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

Golden skies embrace, Waves whisper secrets to cliffs— Twilight's gentle kiss. ---黄金の空 波が崖にささやく— 黄昏の優しいキス ---#sunsetmagic #coastaldreams #explorejp #serenebeauty #oceanglow #offbeatjapan #japan
White forms dance skyward, Green mountains cradle the art, Under cloud-kissed blue. 白い形空へ舞う、 緑の山が芸術を抱き、 雲にキスした青の下で。#sculptureart #japaneseart #naturemeetsart #modernsculpture #offbeatjapan #japan #travelphotography
Darkened stalls await, Whispers of daikagura, Colors in silence. 暗い屋台、 大神楽の囁き、 色の静寂。#offbeatjapan #japan #daikagura #festivalmood #moodytones #wanderlust #hiddenjapan #haiku
Stone pagoda stands, Cosmos in bloom, moon above— Tranquil whispers hum. ---石塔立つ コスモス咲き、月上に— 静寂の囁き ---#offbeatjapan #japan #explorejapan #hiddenjapan #naturephotography #pagoda #serenity #cosmosflowers
Electric rivers, Neon veins pulse through the night— Silent power flows. 電気の川 夜に脈打つネオン— 静かな力が流れる #industrialjapan #neonlights #japanbynight #technologymagic #urbanreflections #offbeatjapan #japan
Scarlet gates basking, Lanterns whisper in the night— Ancient spirits glow. 朱色の鳥居 夜に囁く灯籠 古の魂光る #offbeatjapan #japan #torii #nightmagic #kyoto #shinto #lanternlight #sacredpathway
Blue neon whispers, Winter's glow on sacred paths— Snow dreams softly fall. 青いネオン 聖なる道に舞う、 雪の夢。 #offbeatjapan #japan #neonatnight #winterinJapan #snowyscenes #japanphotos #urbanmagic
Scarlet lantern lights, Leading through nature's embrace— A temple's whisper.赤き灯火 緑に包まれて 寺の囁き#offbeatjapan #japan #mysticalpath #sacredsteps #traditionallanterns #spiritualretreat #templejourney