11 Castles in Shimane worth your time

This mountain castle, once an impregnable fortress, offers stone walls and views from its historic summit.

What it is

• Historic fortress, a yamajiro (mountain castle).
• Major political and cultural center in Izumo Province.
• Believed to be built during the twelfth century.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1934.

What to see

• Stone walls and other relics in a well-maintained park.
• Katsuhitakamori Shrine at the mountain summit.
• View of Lake Nakaumi, Sea of Japan, and Mt. Daisen.
• Yasugi City Historical Museum at the castle entrance.
• Detailed model of the castle and town in the museum.
• Artifacts, maps, and historical materials in the museum.

When to go

• After 2019, following a large-scale restoration.

Official site

yasugi-kankou.com

Read more about Gassantoda Castle

Matsue Castle is a hilltop fortress with an intact wooden structure, offering panoramic views of the city.

What it is

• Imposing hilltop fortress, completed in 1611.
• Often called “Plover Castle” (Chidori-jo).
• One of 12 Japanese castles with intact wooden structure.
• Declared a National Treasure in 2015.

What to see

• Central tower keep (tenshu) preserved since 1740s.
• Massive stone walls (ishigaki) remain almost fully intact.
• Reconstructed gates from 1960 and 1994.
• Three white-plastered fireproof lookouts (yagura) from 2001.
• Copper-covered shachi-hoko on the uppermost roof.
• Panoramic vistas of Lake Shinji, mountains, and city from top floor.

Getting there

• Dominates the city center of Matsue.

Official site

www.matsue-castle.jp

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Yamabuki Castle, a mountaintop fortress, offers historical ruins and coastal views after a challenging climb.

What it is

• Castle built in the early 1530s by the Ouchi family.
• Center of battles for control of the Iwami Ginzan silver mine.
• Abandoned after 1603 when the Tokugawa clan took control.

What to see

• Stone foundations and remnants of ramparts on Mt. Yogai.
• Some fortifications on the summit, if you know where to look.
• View of the coastline from the summit.

Getting there

• About an hour’s climb from the starting point of the Tomogaura Road.
• Some sections of the trail can be difficult to traverse.

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Explore Tsuwano Castle ruins, a mountaintop fortress with impressive stone walls and historical significance.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Sanbonmatsu or Fuki Castle.
• Construction began in 1295 and completed in 1324.
• It was the residence of the Yoshimi and Kamei clans.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• Stone walls and moats remain on Mt. Reikizan.
• Babasaki Turret and Watchtower stand at the mountain's foot.
• The castle was built 367 meters above sea level.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

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Explore Hamada Castle ruins, a historic site with impressive stone walls and a relocated samurai gate.

What it is

• Castle ruins in Hamada, Shimane Prefecture.
• Administrative center of Hamada Domain during Edo period.
• Built on Kameyama hill, 68 meters above sea level.
• Designated a prefectural historic site in 1962.

What to see

• Stone walls and earthworks of the main citadel remain.
• Stone walls of the second citadel remain.
• Relocated gate from a Tsuwano Domain samurai residence.
• Site of a three-story, four-floor main keep.

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Explore Higasen Castle ruins, a mountain-top Japanese castle with well-preserved remains and historical significance.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle built on Higasen mountain.
• Togo Tadamitsu based here during the Daiei era.
• Attacked by Mori forces in 1562, led by Taku Yoshishiki.
• Mori clan renovated the castle during the Genki era.

What to see

• Well-preserved castle remains on the mountain.
• Gorin-to pagodas and mounds scattered below.
• Remains of branch castles in the surrounding area.

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Explore Akana Castle ruins, a mountaintop fortress with historical significance and impressive stone walls.

What it is

• A mountaintop castle, also known as Setoyama Castle.
• Built in 1377 by Akana Tsunetsura of the Akana clan.
• One of the Amago Jikki, important regional castles.
• Destroyed by the One Castle Per Province Order.

What to see

• Stone walls remain on the main enclosure.
• Stone walls remain on two southern enclosures.
• Located on a 683-meter mountain top.

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Explore Maruyama Castle ruins, a 16th-century mountain fortress with impressive stone walls.

What it is

• A medieval mountain castle in Iwami Province.
• Construction started in 1582 by Ogasawara Nagashige.
• Designated as a Shimane Prefecture historic site.
• Abandoned after the year 1600.

What to see

• Remains of all-stone walls.
• Site of the main keep at 428 meters elevation.
• Layout of the main bailey and west bailey.
• Ruins of gates and moats.

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Mizawa Castle is a vast medieval mountain castle ruin, significant for its historical scale and strategic design.

What it is

• A designated historic site in Shimane Prefecture.
• Built in 1305 by Misawa Tamenaga.
• One of the Amago Jikki castles.
• Considered the largest medieval mountain castle in San'in.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a 418-meter-high mountain.
• Complex castle layout with two peaks.
• Multiple baileys on slopes.
• Natural moats formed by three rivers.

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Explore the ruins of Kokubuo Castle, a historic Oki clan residence with impressive stone walls.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle in Oki Province.
• Also known as Kao Castle.
• Built by Oki Kiyomasa.
• Residence of the Oki clan.

What to see

• Only stone walls remain.
• Earthworks are present.
• Moats are present.
• A descriptive sign is installed.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Otsubashi bus stop.

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Explore Mitoya Castle ruins, a historic transportation hub and former samurai stronghold.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built in 1221 by Suwabe Fucho.
• It was a significant transportation hub.
• Designated a Shimane Prefecture historic site in 1986.
• One of the Amago-gata clan's military bases.

What to see

• Castle ruins, once ruled by the Suwabe and Ichikawa clans.
• Site renovated by the Horio clan in 1600.

Read more about Mitoya Castle