History
Akashi Castle (Akashi Park) 明石城（兵庫県立明石公園）
©Akashi Tourism Association
Castle ruins taken captive by cherry blossoms
Only fifteen minutes outside of Kobe is Akashi Castle (Akashi Park), an excellent spot for cherry blossom viewing in Japan.
How to Get There
Akashi Castle is a short walk from the north exit of Akashi Station. The station is on the JR Sanyo Main Line between Kobe (15 minutes from Sannomiya) and Himeji (25 minutes).
Quick Facts
Over 1,400 cherry blossom trees grow in the park
Gonoike Pond has both rowboats and cycle boats
Akashi Castle turned 400 years old in 2019
Akashi Castle is one of Japan's 100 Famous Castles, and its three-story tower is a National Important Cultural Property
©Akashi Tourism Association
Around the ruins
Akashi Park surrounds the ruins of Akashi Castle. The park is large and open, with a lawn area where you can view the castle ruins, including the surviving three-story turrets known as Tatsumi yagura and Hitsujisaru yagura. To the rear of the turrets is Gonoike Pond, where you can rent a boat and explore.
©Akashi Tourism Association
The perfect hanami location
There are some 1,400 cherry trees in the park, which bloom each March and April. The park is packed with locals and tourists alike during sakura season, descending upon the park to enjoy hanami cherry blossom viewing.
©Akashi Tourism Association
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.
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