Tottori Castle Ruins

Tottori Castle was originally built in 1532 and served as the regional center of power during Japan's era of warring states. It fell to Nobunaga in 1581 when his retainer Hideyoshi besieged the castle for more than half a year, cutting off all food supplies. The castle later served as the seat of the Ikeda Clan, relatives of the Tokugawa shogun.

The castle was built on Mount Kyusho, which rises about 250 meters above the city. Besides a fortification around the summit, the castle featured multiple circles of defense along the foot of the mountain. Unfortunately, the castle fell victim to the modernization policies of the Meiji Period government and its buildings were destroyed.

Today, the Tottori Castle Ruins (鳥取城跡, Tottorijō-ato) display the impressive stone walls of the multi-layered circles of defense. One wooden gate is still standing, while another castle gate was reconstructed in the 2020s. Visitors can freely explore the ruins, and while many visit only the lower circles of defense, which already offer impressive views over the city, those with more energy can hike up to the summit in a steep 30-40 minute ascent.

Adding to the experience in spring are hundreds of cherry trees planted along the stone walls, which make the ruins one of the city's more popular cherry blossom viewing spots, typically around early to mid April.

After the end of the feudal age in 1907, the former lord constructed a European-style building at the base of the castle ruins. Named Jinpukaku (closed for renovations from 2023 to 2028 or early 2029), the white wooden building features open verandas, brick fireplaces and a beautiful wooden spiral staircase that has become a key feature of its architecture.

The building was the first in Tottori to have electric lights and served as a symbol of modernization. Over the years it was also used as a guest house for the visiting crown prince, as a public hall, reception hall and a prefectural museum. Today it houses a small museum about the Ikeda Clan and serves as a public event space, while the Tottori Prefectural Museum moved to a larger complex nearby.