Just a 5-minute walk from Hanshin’s Amagasaki Station (阪神尼崎駅), Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park (尼崎城址公園) is the most easily accessible spot in Amagasaki City for plum blossoms. While only 22 plums are planted, it is the perfect spot to take photos of the gorgeous flowers with the castle. In addition, you can transform yourself into the lord of the castle or a princess at the castle park! Ninja customs are available, too!
About Amagasaki Castle
Amagasaki Castle, completed in 1617, was the center of the Amagasaki Domain (尼崎藩主). It was the base of the Tokugawa Shogunate to control western Japan. Like most castles in Japan, Amagasaki Castle was demolished in 1873. Due to urbanization, most of the remains of the castle, including the moat, have been lost. What could remind people about the existence of the castle were the ridge tiles.
The location of the original castle tower surrounded by inner and outer moat is now Amagasaki Shiritsu Meijo Elementary School (尼崎市立明城小学校). But thanks to Abo Akira (安保詮), a wealthy local businessman, Amagasaki Castle’s castle tower was restored in 2019 where the west outer turret (西三の丸) was located.
Apparently, over one billion yen was spent on the restoration. Compared to other castle parks, the one in Amagasaki has children’s play equipment. So, while it is a historical spot, young families often gather there.
Another fact that makes Amagasaki Castle unique is it was a castle rebuilt by the samurais and the commoners. Apparently, the castle tower was burnt down in 1846. While restoration was urgently needed, the domain had financial difficulties. Learning this fact, Amagasaki Domain’s citizens donated money and time to the construction of the castle and worked with each other, and the castle tower was restored in a year. Thus, the restored Amagasaki Castle was known as “Everyone’s Castle”.
What to Do Inside Amagasaki Castle
No admission fee is required to enter Amagasaki Castle’s first floor. There is an Amagasaki Castle area map of the Edo period. By simply moving the transparent panel with the current map printed, you can easily see how much the township has changed in the last 200 years.
Taking the escalator to the 5th floor, you can overlook the surroundings from the windows. An iPad is installed on a rotating stand under the windows. Each of them shows the CG image of the Edo period in the direction the device faces. If you face the iPad in the direction of the elementary school, you can see how magnificent the old castle tower used to be.
The 4th floor is the gallery zone, which exhibits the paintings of Ogihara Issei (荻原一青), a castle painter born in Amagasaki.
Heading down one floor, the space is decorated to resemble the Kin no Ma (金の間) found in the original Amanogasaki Castle. The golden hall on the third floor is where cosplaying takes place. After putting on a princess, a ninja, a samurai, or a warrior costume, take as many photos as you want with the Kin no Ma’s wall painting.
Note the armor on display was made by a professional armorer. Please speak to the staff if you want to wear it. It is more challenging than it seems to put on.
Moreover, visit the activity corner on the 2nd floor. It is where you can experience Kendo and an old-style firearm using a VR remote controller! On the same floor, there are replicas of samurai swords, spears, and fire guns for visitors to hold.
Tip: A water server is available in the lobby on the first floor.
The Plum Blossoms at Amagasaki Castle
The 12 red plums and 10 white plums can be found in the northern part of Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park. The plum grove is close to the playground equipment.
Between mid-February and early/mid-March, the park is decorated with the bright colors and pleasant scent of plum blossoms. So, many locals would visit the park to admire the flowers with their families and friends.
Amagasaki Castle’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Amagasaki Castle is open from 9 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm.
- If Monday is a public holiday, the castle is closed the next business day.
- The castle is closed from the 29th of December to the 2nd of January.
- The admission fee is
- 500 yen for adults
- 250 yen for elementary and high school students
- Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park is a 5-minute walk from Hanshin’s Amagasaki Station.
- From JR Amagasaki Station (尼崎駅), it is around a 20-minute walk.
Discover the Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe
Kobe City also has a couple of places where you can see the plum blossoms. As most of them are close to a train station, you can easily stop by one of them as you explore other parts of Kobe. If you like hot spring, the renowned hot spring town in Kobe, Arima Onsen, also has two places for you to appreciate the flowers.
So, refer to our article on the Guide to the Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe and start planning!
Discover the Plum Blossom Spots in Osaka
We are sure Hyōgo Prefecture is one of many destinations you will visit in the Kansai region. Osaka Prefecture, for example, has many plum groves awaiting you to discover, too. If you fly into Osaka, there are a few plum blossom spots close to the Kansai Airport!
So, refer to our article on the Plum Blossom Posts in Osaka to plan your trip!
