Silent Samurai Castle – Discover the 660-Year History of Japan’s Aya Castle

Silent Samurai Castle – Discover the 660-Year History of Japan’s Aya Castle

Today, we’ll take you to Aya Castle — a charming little gem perched on a hill overlooking our hometown of Aya. A bridge leads us from the parking lot to the gate of Aya Castle. Aya Castle of International Crafts After passing through the large gate, you’ll find the reception desk on your right, where you can buy your admission ticket. Closed on Thursdays. Admission is free for visitors with disabilities upon presentation of a disability ID. In addition to Aya Castle, the site features a craft shop selling local traditional crafts, pottery and weaving workshops,… and a historic 1873 school building recognized as a Cultural Property of Japan. The building you see on the left is a shop and gallery for local handicrafts. Here’s a look inside the building. Aya has a rich history of traditional crafts, and the Aya Craft Festival is still held every November. My parents also worked in textile dyeing and weaving until my mother passed away. 😊 As you go further in, you’ll find a building on the right where you can try pottery and weaving. Feel free to look around—visiting is free! 🎵 At last, it’s time to visit Aya Castle! 😊 Aya Castle has a surprisingly long history, dating back about 660 years to the early Muromachi period (1331–1334). Hosokawa Koshirō Yoshikado, a loyal retainer of Ashikaga Takauji — the founder of the Ashikaga shogunate in the 14th century — was sent to this region. His son, Yoshitō, later became the local steward, built a castle on the mountain, and began using the name Aya, marking the beginning of the Aya clan. The clan ruled this area for about 270 years, but the castle was eventually torn down under the “one castle per domain” policy of the Edo period. 🥲 Before the Edo period, there were over 3,000 castles in Japan. But due to this policy, that number dropped to just 200 to 300. The present-day Aya Castle was researched and supervised by Munekazu Inoue, the founder of the Japan Castle Association. After careful study, it was reconstructed in 1985 as Japan’s first restored mountaintop castle from the early Sengoku period — a time of civil war and unrest in 15th-century Japan. To recreate the castle as faithfully as possible, local craftsmen — including carpenters and stonemasons — from Aya Town gave their full support. Now, let’s take a look inside Aya Castle! 🎵 A range of historical artifacts is on display on the first floor, such as armor, swords, and old manuscripts, all donated by residents of Aya. These items were donated by the late Mayor Minoru Gōda, who dedicated his life to preserving Aya’s natural forests and promoting eco-friendly urban planning. Aya Castle once served as a branch castle of the Itō clan during the Sengoku period (Warring States era), before falling under the control of the Shimazu clan. Some helmets and banners still display the Itō family crest. All the wood used in Aya Castle was sourced locally from Aya Town. The pillars are made of hemlock, the entrance of zelkova, the stairs of cherry wood, the watchtower of yew, and the rest is built using cypress and cedar. This building is a perfect example of how Aya’s abundant natural beauty can be reflected in architecture. Next, we’ll make our way up to the second floor. It feels quite different from the first floor, doesn’t it? First-time visitors might be startled by the realistic dolls. 😅 This elderly man is Yoshisuke Itō, the 11th head of the Hyuga Itō clan. At one point, Yoshisuke had control over almost all of Hyūga Province(modern Miyazaki), but as the war with the Shimazu clan turned against him, he fled to Aya Castle. The one who gave Yoshisuke refuge was Sadowara Tōtōmi-no-kami, the lord of Aya Castle at the time,… …along with Takanaka Kunihiro, a master swordsmith who also served the castle. Takanaka Kunihiro, a master swordsmith from Furuya in Aya town, was active from the late 16th to early 17th century and is regarded as a founder of the Shintō (New Sword) tradition. He forged many famous swords, the most renowned being the ‘Yamambagiri Kunihiro,’ which was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1962. Now it’s owned by Ashikaga City in Tochigi, the sword drew new attention… …after inspiring a character in the 2015 mobile game “Touken Ranbu”. Time to climb up to the castle tower!😊 We’re now on the third floor, with no displays—only a peaceful, somewhat mysterious feeling in the air. Let’s keep going up. The stairs are really steep, so be careful! Here are the stairs we just climbed. This is the door to the viewing area. It’s closed to keep insects and birds out—but let’s go ahead, open it and enjoy the view!😊 You can walk all the way around the observation deck, so take your time and enjoy the beautiful views of Aya.🎵 Rebuilt in 1985 with local wood and craftsmanship, Aya Castle rose again after 660 years—and still watches over the town with quiet warmth. 😊

Step into 660 years of history on a silent journey through Japan’s hidden hilltop (mountain) Samurai castle.

Aya Castle, perched above the gentle hills of Miyazaki, was first built during the Muromachi period over six centuries ago. Once lost under the “One Castle per Province” rule in the Edo era, it was lovingly rebuilt in 1985 with local wood and master craftsmanship – becoming Japan’s first reconstructed Sengoku-era hilltop (mountain) castle.
From sweeping views at the top to the warmth of wooden architecture, and its link to the legendary swordsmith Kunihiro Tada, Aya Castle blends nature’s beauty with the spirit of Japan’s past.

🎵 No narration / Nature sounds + original BGM by Rinaldo & Satomi
Relax, slow down, and experience the quiet magic of history.

Perfect for: history lovers, Japan travel enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a calm, cinematic escape.

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Location map:
AYA Castle
https://www.google.com/maps/search/googlemap+綾城/@32.0033103,131.2492465,17z/data=!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Timestamps:
0:00 – Opening
0:47 – Arrival at Aya Castle of International Crafts
1:51 – Local traditional crafts exhibition and sales area
2:37 – Bridge leading to Aya Castle
3:20 – Exterior of Aya Castle
3:55 – First floor of Aya Castle
5:01 – Second floor of Aya Castle
5:57 – Sword by Tanaka (Horikawa) Kunihiro, the founder of the New Sword tradition
6:42 – Third floor of Aya Castle, interior of the castle keep
7:59 – To the observation deck

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