Tsuwano-jō

Western Honshū


The broken walls of Tsuwano-jō brood over the valley. A slightly rickety chairlift takes you slowly up the hillside, and there's a further 15-minute walk through the woods to the castle ruins. There's nothing here but the walls, but there are of course great views.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Western Honshū attractions

1. Nishi Amane Former Residence

0.25 MILES

It's a pleasant walk down the river from Tsuwano town centre to see the peaked-roof former residence of Nishi Amane (1829–97), a philosopher and political…

2. Mori Ōgai Former Residence

0.31 MILES

The old residence of Mori Ōgai (1862–1922), a highly regarded novelist who served as a physician in the Imperial Japanese Army.

3. Mori Ōgai Memorial Museum

0.33 MILES

This simple building next to the novelist's former residence displays signed manuscripts and relics from his life as a writer and physician. One for…

4. Taikodani-Inari-jinja

0.45 MILES

Within walking distance of town, this thriving shrine, built in 1773 by the seventh lord Kamei Norisada, is one of the five major Inari shrines in Japan…

5. Morijuku Museum

0.59 MILES

This museum is housed in a 150-year-old building that once served as the home of a shōya (village headman). Downstairs is a collection of soft-edged…

6. Tsuwano Catholic Church

0.74 MILES

The church here is a reminder of the town's Christian history. 'Hidden Christians' from Nagasaki were exiled here in the early Meiji period. It's…

7. Chapel of St Maria

0.95 MILES

The tiny Maria-dō dates from 1951. More than 150 'hidden Christians' were imprisoned in a Buddhist temple on this site in the early years of the Meiji…

8. Anno Art Museum

1 MILES

Tsuwano-born Anno Mitsumasa is famous for his wonderfully detailed illustrated books, including Anno's Alphabet and Anno's Journey. You can see his work…

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