Akashi in Spring

Article posted on Thursday, April, 21st, 2011 at 1:13 pm

“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.

Akashi Castle

Article posted on Sunday, May, 3rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm

I had a great time in the Kansai area this week, I was there just two days but the itinerary was planned out & very full. In this post I’ll be talking a bit about just one of the eight castles I visited. This was the fifth & last for the first day. Bloody hell, my legs were a hurtin’.

Akashi Castle

First off, I have to say that this is an absolutely great castle to visit. I arrived pretty late in the afternoon & first made my way the my hotel. I dumped my bag in my room as quick as I could and hotfooted it to the castle grounds. Lucky for me the hotel was only a very short distance away.

After I made my way across the moat & through the castle entrance I come to a large grassed open area that was full of people enjoying the perfect weather of the Golden Week holiday. To the right of the grassed area there was a museum & a well maintained garden. It was a great sight, and overlooking the scene were the twin towers of Akashi Castle.

I spent the next hour or so snapping snaps and soaking it all in.

I can understand why the 12 castles that have retained their Edo period Tenshus attract most of the attention. But, if you ask me Akashi Castle easily leaves Inuyama & Maruoka castles in its wake. Well, that is probably no big claim but I also think it stacks up pretty well against a few of Shikoku’s originals.

Anyway, my time in Akashi was brief but very enjoyable. I will be back for sure.

So, follow the link to the Akashi Castle profile & tell me what you think. There are some nice pictures, and you’ll find the usual stuff like timelines, etc for your viewing pleasure.