Akashi in Spring

     

“What was that?” Then another question, “Was that a castle?”

Usually we don’t doubt what we see with our own eyes. But, when you’re riding the bullet train at speed, there will be the odd occasion where you need to rewind and re-process what could have been so easily missed had you blinked.

It was my second time past before I realised it was what I thought it was, and that I should find out more. It turned out what I was looking at was Akashi Castle. Heard of Ōsaka? Well, who hasn’t? Heard of Himeji? Quite possibly. Well, Akashi (the castle & the city) sits right in the middle.

If you are a tourist, you could be forgiven for not taking the time to check this place out. Should you be in the area to take in the sights of Himeji Castle, Akashi would just be a let down. To everyone else though, let me say just say that the Spring afternoon I spent here in 2009 was absolutely heaven. Azaleas in bloom, clear skies, warm weather, families at leisure. It was perfection.

A final point, both of these towers are the real-deal, which is to say they are Edo-period (1603 – 1868) originals. Do yourself a favour.

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  • Anonymous

    I will, one of these days. :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=9800312 Travis Seifman

    Thanks for pointing this out. I was thinking of possibly making my way to Akashi this summer anyway, as somewhere in that general vicinity (west of Kobe proper, near Suma) are the graves of Taira no Atsumori and Kiyomori… major historical sites I should like to visit. Though, of course, the visual spectacle of a castle, and the experience of actually walking through the grounds of one is far more worthwhile a use of time than to go all the way out somewhere just to see a grave, take a picture, and think “okay,” and go home… So long as I’m out there (and so long as Himeji’s honmaru or tenshu or whatever it is is closed), I very well might make my way to Akashi-jo. Thanks for the heads up!

  • Anonymous

    It really is a quiet & relaxing place. If you are there in the warmer months, I do suggest you go late, late afternoon.

  • Anonymous

    I’m absolutely happy to point out this fantastic place. I really hope a lot more people do check it out. I’m sure the numbers of tourists who glide past unaware must be staggering.

    And thanks for the heads up on those graves. I hope to check them out when I’m finally able to explore Hyōgo Prefecture a bit more.

  • http://twitter.com/Tornadoes28 Jon L

    Whoa, authentic towers. That’s rare. Any castle with authentic towers should be a must see.

  • Anonymous

    Hear, hear, sir!

  • http://bigger-in-japan.blogspot.com/ Biggie

    yep, but I am actually quite happy to keep this one a little bit less-known… ;-)

  • Anonymous

    Sorry, it’s just not fair that you keep it all to yourselves.

  • http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/ Japan Australia

    Looks like a great castle to visit and love the tall original Edo period towers. How much is entry?

  • Anonymous

    I’s totally free to enter the grounds, and as for the towers which are not de facto museums, they are also free.

  • http://twitter.com/ichigoichielove Lisa W

    Wow! Wow, wow, wow! Azaleeeaaaas! (heart!)
    Actually I’ve seen Akashi castle on a number of occasions… sadly, from afar. But now I definitely am more motivated to go – s’not always often you get, as you say “the real deal” when it comes to castles. Will def have to check it out when I go back “home”. Thanks for joining SMJ!

  • Anonymous

    When I first published this, there were no pics of azaleas. After re-reading my words I thought I’d better add some.

    Anyway, glad you liked it, and thx 4 hosting & commenting. :)