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.

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

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.

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In whispers of green, A windmill twirls tales untold, Red roofs fade in time. 静かな緑の中で、 風車が語らぬ物語を回し、 赤い屋根が時と共に消えていく。#windmilltales #rusticcharm #natureandcity #urbanserenity #japancontrast #offbeatjapan #japan
Rust cliffs kiss the sea, Turquoise whispers secrets deep— Nature's vivid brush. 崖が海と キスをしながら蒼き 自然の筆。 #offbeatjapan #japan #coastallandscapes #volcanicisland #naturelovers #stunningviews #wanderlust #cliffside
Rust embraces gray tones, Moss dances in vivid green— Nature's quiet claim.錆びた灰色に抱かれ 苔が鮮やかに踊る 自然の静かなる主張#offbeatjapan #japan #industrialart #rustandruin #naturewins #urbanexploration #mossybeauty
Concrete gray fortress Amidst the blue sea's embrace— Silent echoes speak. コンクリートの城 青い海の抱擁の中で— 静かな声が響く。 #Gunkanjima #HashimaIsland #BattleshipIsland #Nagasaki #Urbex #offbeatjapan #japan
Ancient coaster sleeps, Twilight whispers pinks and blues, Nature reclaims all. 崩れたコースターが眠る、 薄桃色と青の夜明けのささやき、 自然が全てを取り戻す。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #rollercoaster #twilightbeauty #nostalgia #naturestriumph #forgottenamusement
Pink blossoms whisper, Quiet streets cradle old tales, Sky and mountains dream.桃の花囁く、 静かな道に古い物語を抱え、 空と山は夢見る。#cherryblossoms #japanesetradition #countrysidecharm #historicaljapan #sakura #offbeatjapan #japan
Dust veils whispered past, Ghostly echoes cradle dreams, Where silence presides.静寂の中で、 囁かれた夢は、 埃に包まれる。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbandecay #abandonedplaces #hauntingbeauty #forgottenworlds #silenthalls #explorejapan
Yellow noren glow, In a calm, verdant alley— Silent history.---黄色の暖簾、 静かな緑の小路に— 静寂の歴史。---#japanesehistory #traditionaljapan #serenealley #historicdistrict #japanesearchitecture #offbeatjapan #japan