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

Below the train's hum, Neon whispers paint the night— Cobalt dreams unfold. 電車の下で ネオンが夜を彩る— コバルトの夢。---#offbeatjapan #japan #yokochovibes #neonnights #japanesenightlife #urbanexploration #cozycorners #cobaltblue
Pruned pine whispers calm, Old wood meets azure blue skies, Mountains hug the past. 切りそろえた松の静けさ 古木と青空、出会う 山々に抱かれた過去 #offbeatjapan #japan #traditionalvillage #woodenarchitecture #serenescenes #historicjapan #natureandheritage
Eternal blue mist, Torii guards the ocean's breath, Whispers from the past.永遠の青霧 鳥居が海の息を守る 過去からのささやき#ToriiSpirit #CoastalJapan #SacredSeas #VolcanicRocks #BlueDusk #offbeatjapan #japan
Scarlet sea of brush, Winding path through fire ablaze, Beneath blue whispers. ---紅色の絨毯、 火に包まれた道、 青空の下。---#HitachiSeasidePark #kochia #floralwonderland #vibrantjapan #offbeatjapan #naturelovers #japan
Winter's hushed embrace, Blue snow hides the sacred glow— Golden lights whisper. ---冬の静けさ 青い雪が隠す 金の灯の囁き---#wintersilence #japanesewinter #shintoshrine #snowymystery #sacredglow #goldenlight #offbeatjapan #japan
Quiet rabbit rests, Moss blankets dreams in sunlight, Echoes of the past. 静かなウサギ、 苔に夢を託し、 過去の声が響く。  #RabbitIsland #Ōkunoshima #NatureLovers #HistoricJapan #MossyDreams #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Orange leaves whisper, Midst shaded greens and shadows— Nature's secret glow.---オレンジの葉 緑と影の中— 自然の秘密の輝き。---#koyo #autumnleaves #forestvibes #naturephotography #offbeatjapan #japan #hiddenbeauty
Sunset paints the sky, Volcanic peak stands aglow— Nature's quiet grace. 日が沈む空、 輝く火山の頂— 自然の静かな恵み。 #offbeatjapan #japan #volcaniclandscape #sunsetglow #naturelovers #ruraljapan #hiddenbeauty #mountainmagic