Otowa Castle Ruins
Explore the well-preserved mountain castle ruins of Otowa, featuring impressive moats, earthworks, and historical significance.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather for exploring
Otowa Castle Ruins
Best Time
Pleasant weather for exploring
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the well-preserved mountain castle ruins of Otowa, featuring impressive moats, earthworks, and historical significance.
"A well-maintained mountain castle ruin, easy to access by car with fascinating defensive features."
🚗 Drive for Convenience
Parking is available near the ruins via a forest road. Remember to close the animal fence!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The terrain can be uneven. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring the ruins.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.2 · 18 reviews
Type
Historical Place
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Crescent Moat
Northwest of the main enclosure
A striking defensive feature, this crescent-shaped moat is a testament to the castle's strategic design.
Numerous Wells
Throughout the ruins
Discover multiple wells, indicating the castle's ample water supply and strategic importance.
Earth Ramparts and Moats
Various sections of the ruins
Explore the remnants of defensive structures like earth ramparts and various types of moats.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Accessing the Ruins
Exploring the Site
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Drive for Convenience
Parking is available near the ruins via a forest road. Remember to close the animal fence!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The terrain can be uneven. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring the ruins.
🗺️ Use the Maps
Explanatory boards and signs help navigate the complex layout of the castle ruins.
💧 Water Source Evidence
Look for the numerous wells; they highlight the castle's historical water management.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Drive for Convenience
Parking is available near the ruins via a forest road. Remember to close the animal fence!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The terrain can be uneven. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring the ruins.
🗺️ Use the Maps
Explanatory boards and signs help navigate the complex layout of the castle ruins.
💧 Water Source Evidence
Look for the numerous wells; they highlight the castle's historical water management.
📸 Capture the Scenery
The autumn season offers beautiful views, perfect for photography.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Otowa Castle Ruins for their accessibility, especially by car, and the well-maintained state of the historical remnants. The site offers a good glimpse into mountain castle design with features like moats and wells. Some find the animal fence a minor inconvenience, and the terrain requires sturdy footwear.
"It's a mountain castle that's easy to access if you open the animal fence and go up, and you can park your car right next to it.
The parking lot was probably a large moat♪
There's also a map of the territory👏
Cut-off bank♬Tiger's mouth♬Mortice♬Earth ramparts♬Wells♪Ridge terraces♪Crescent moat for hiding warriors♬Crescent moat below cut-off bank♬And so on, there's a whole lot of mountain castle ruins🙌
It's been cleared and there are observation paths, so I think it's easy to observe the ruins🙇♂️
Elevation 174m
By the way, when you climb to the southwest summit at an elevation of 210m, it's a slightly leveled area that's well ventilated and cool.."
竹下半兵衛
"Iwakuraji Castle is located on the middle slope of Mt. Gojo, which is 168 meters above sea level. Its relative height from the base of the mountain is about 100 meters.
It is possible to drive up to Iwakuraji Castle via a forest road right below the main castle. A parking lot is also available. There is an animal-proof fence near the entrance, which must be opened and closed.
The main part of Iwakuraji Castle is well-maintained and the vegetation has been cut. It is a good mountain castle that is easy to visit. You can easily climb up to the main castle from the parking lot. In addition to the main castle, there are many other castles in the area, which is quite a complex layout.
The most notable remains are the large number of wells. This castle would have had no shortage of water.
Other remains include a crescent moat, moat cutouts, earthworks, and a hiding place for warriors.
Iwakuraji Castle was a castle on the border between the Imagawa clan of Suruga and the Matsudaira clan of eastern Mikawa, and was the site of a battle between the two forces. After Imagawa Yoshimoto was killed in the Battle of Okehazama, the castle came under the control of the Matsudaira clan (Tokugawa clan), but it is believed to have been abandoned when Tokugawa Ieyasu was transferred to the Kanto region.
Ganryakuji Castle is a recommended mountain castle in the region due to its easy access and state of maintenance."
トレーズクシュリナーダ
"東海道旧道もしくは国道1号線からの入り口が非常にわかりにくいです
通り沿いに標識が出ていると良いと思います
車で城跡まで行けますし、駐車場もあるのでそれはいいけど、猪よけの柵を越えてからすれ違いは出来ないアスファルトの端が崩れかかっている道は怖いです
城跡そのものは整備もされていて見やすいしわかりやすいです
ロープがあって、斜面もすべらないような工夫がされていて、歩いて回るうちに楽しくなります
山城好きなら必見です"
まーちゃん
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can drive directly to a parking lot near the ruins via a forest road. Be sure to open and close the animal-proof fence when you pass through.
Yes, you can walk from Meitetsu Nagasawa Station. The walk from the station to the ruins is manageable, with a parking lot about 800m further on the forest road.
From National Route 1, head south to find an alleyway leading to the forest road. The road is paved and leads directly to the parking lot.
Look for an alleyway heading south from National Route 1, which will lead you to the forest road. You'll also encounter an animal-proof fence.
The forest road is wide enough and paved all the way to the parking lot, making navigation easy.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no mention of admission fees or tickets required for Otowa Castle Ruins. It appears to be an open-access historical site.
As an outdoor historical site, Otowa Castle Ruins are likely accessible at all times. However, visiting during daylight hours is recommended for safety and visibility.
Based on traveler accounts, there is no indication of an entrance fee for Otowa Castle Ruins.
While technically accessible, visiting at night is not recommended due to safety concerns and the lack of lighting at the ruins.
The main restriction mentioned is the need to open and close an animal-proof fence when accessing the site by car.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The ruins feature a complex layout with a main bailey, second enclosure, well enclosure, and surrounding enclosures. Notable remains include numerous wells, crescent moats, cut-off banks, earthworks, and samurai hiding places.
The main part of the castle is well-maintained with cleared vegetation and observation paths, making it easy to explore and observe the ruins.
Expect uneven terrain as it's a mountain castle. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for navigating the site safely.
A parking lot is available. There are also explanatory boards detailing the castle's boundaries and signs to help with navigation.
The main castle is located on the middle slope of Mt. Gojo at 168 meters above sea level, with a relative height of about 100 meters from the mountain base. The southwest summit reaches 210 meters.
📸 📸 Photography
The crescent moat on the north side of the main enclosure is a visually striking feature. The panoramic views from higher points and the historical remnants themselves offer great photographic opportunities.
Morning or late afternoon light can create dramatic shadows and highlight the textures of the ruins. Autumn offers beautiful foliage for added color.
The numerous wells, earth ramparts, and the unique crescent moat are all distinctive features that photograph well and tell the story of the castle's past.
There are no specific regulations mentioned regarding drone usage. However, it's always advisable to check local drone laws and be respectful of the historical site.
A wide-angle lens is useful for capturing the scale of the ruins and defensive features. A telephoto lens can be good for details.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit