Akechi Mitsuhide ‘Awaiting Kirin’!
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A town full of hidden surprises Fukuchiyama Kyoto Fall head over heels, for Fukuchiyama Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture 2020 Period Drama Featuring Akechi Mitsuhide ‘Awaiting Kirin’! Fukuchiyama—Where once there was nothing but a river, Akechi Mitsuhide’s castle town now stands. Akechi Mitsuhide, a military commander in the age of the warring states of Japanese history, attacked his lord Oda Nobunaga just before he unified Japan. Mitsuhide is known as a rebel, but you can see a different side to him in Fukuchiyama, a different perspective is sometimes told. Fukuchiyama Castle—The heart of Tamba built by Akechi Mitsuhide Fukuchiyama Castle was built around 1579 when Akechi Mitsuhide pacified the Tamba region by order of Nobunaga. It was constructed as the main base to take control of the Chugoku region. The castle fortress was located at the center of Fukuchiyama Basin surrounded by the Tamba Mountains, and the Yuragawa and Hokawa Rivers behind it served as natural moats. These rivers were skillfully used to take advantage of the hills in the region. Mitsuhide developed the Portrait of Akechi Mitsuhide castle town on the riverside where has been nothing more than wilderness, and named it Fukuchiyama. He implemented (Property of Hontokuji Temple) the freer economic policy, and committed himself to the control of the Yuragawa River. Mitsuhide’s skillful governance Akechi Mitsuhide resulted in the foundations of the Fukuchiyama we have today. Because of his contribution, he is still respected by the (1528?–1582) people in Fukuchiyama to this day. A Japanese military command- From 1669 until 1867, this area flourished as a castle town and hub port of Yuragawa River under Kutsuki Tanemasa er, who worked as an important subordinate to Oda Nobunaga. and the following twelve generations of Kutsuki rule during the Edo period. He was known for his skillful In the Meiji era, Fukuchiyama Castle was ruined leaving only stone walls and some other structures. In 1986, the governance as a feudal lord, castle keep was restored with the contribution of the city community. Since then, the castle keep has overlooked along with also being a highly intelligent and wise person. He Fukuchiyama and has stood as a symbol for the city. attacked and killed his lord, The castle keep is open to the public as a museum, exhibiting the history of Fukuchiyama and Akechi Mitsuhide. Oda Nobunaga in the rebellion at Honnoji Temple. The reason behind his betrayal is one of the biggest mysteries of Japa- nese history. There’s more New castle Fukuchiyama Castle seal that [Address] 5 Naiki, Fukuchiyama City [Admission] Adult ¥330, Junior high and elementary school students ¥110 everybody’s [Open] 9:00–17:00 (Last entry 16:30) [Closed] Open all year [Contact] 0773-23-9564 talking about! [Access] 15 minutes walk from Fukuchiyama Station [Parking] Available (¥300 per print) 2 The only castle keep you can climb to the top of in Kyoto Prefecture! Hey from way up here! “Dokkoise” —The beat of Fukuchiyama “Dokkoise” is a phrase chanted during the traditional performance of this region “Fukuchiyama Odori and Ondo”. It is said that this dance and song originated at the time Fukuchiyama castle was being constructed. The townspeople are said to have begun to dance by swinging their arms and legs in time with the workers. Dokkoise has been with this town for over 400 years, remembering the great Akechi Mitsuhide, and carrying everyone through numerous flooding. It can be seen every August, during the Obon The castle keep offers a view of most of the period, during the ‘Fukuchiyama Dokkoise Matsuri’, castle town and part of Yuragawa River, the only where thhe nostalgic beats continues to sound in Fukuchiyama. feature of this location when Akechi Mitsuhide Photo Spot! started developing the town. This view is seen as a very special view of Fukuchiyama. Free to join! Rest your weary feet at one of the stylish cafes or Guided Walking Stroll through town and take bakeries along this street, Tour of the Town the former main street of in all the historical spots Fukuchiyama. Visiting historical Fukuchiyama related to Akechi Mitsuhide Castle and Goryo Shrine ● Every Sunday from 13:00 ● Tour starts at the Tourist Information Center This bridge offers a views of the castle town, in Fukuchiyama Sta. and a slightly different ● Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes view of the castle. [Contact] 0773-22-2228 Fukuchiyama 2 min. Castle on foot Yuragawa Yuragawa River & Hirokoji St. 5 min. ⇒ on foot Riverbanks ⇒ Otonase ⇒ 2 min. Bridge 3 min. on foot on foot ⇒ Goryo Shrine Here you can see the remnants of a riverbank built by Mitsuhide to protect the town from floods. Goryo Shrine It is known as “Akechi-yabu” by the locals. —where Akechi Mitsuhide is enshrined Among the stone walls Akechi Mitsuhide is enshrined alongside the deity lies a heart-shaped stone. It is said that finding this Inari originally enshrined here. This spot is symbolic stone brings good luck! of the legacy of Mitsuhide’s skillful governance. Mitsuhide’s writings and clan military rules are housed at this shrine. [Address] 238 Nakano, Fukuchiyama City [Contact] 0773-22-2255 [Access ] 10 minutes walk from Fukuchiyama Station [Parking] Available Fukuchiyama Mitsuhide Museum open for a limited time only! Fukuchiyama Mitsuhide Museum Extended until The Fukuchiyama Museum has been February 7, opened in accordance with NHK’s 2021! 2020 period drama ‘Awaiting Kirin’ (kirin ga kuru). Visitors can trace the path of Mitsuhide, and unravel history through precious original materials, Museum Interior and visual aids. There’s New Fukuchiyama Castle souvenir store open [Address] 32-64 Okano, Fukuchiyama City more… in Yurano Garden! (Sato Taisei Art Museum 2F) [Admission] Adult ¥500, Child ¥250 (Group Visitors can buy Fukuchiyama’s most well-known discount / Fukuchiyama Castle Combo ticket souvenirs here, along with Akechi Mitsuhide items, and available) a variety of Fukuchiyama Tourist Association mascots [Open] 9:00–17:00 (Last entry 16:30) [Closed] Open all year (until February 7, 2021) Mitsuhide-kun and Hiroko-san goods. [Contact] 0773-22-1010 [Address] 6 Horiimaoka, Fukuchiyama City (Inside Yurano Garden) [Access] 15 minutes walk from Fukuchiyama [Open] 10:00–17:00 *Subject to change during peak seasons Station [Closed] Open all year (until February 2021; date tbd) [Parking] Available [Contact] 0773-45-8505 3 Mt. Oe has been revered since ancient times, and there are many legends about Oni (Japanese A perfect ogre) as the mountain area is believed to be their home. The mountain range is located between place to hike! Tango and Tamba. The road connecting Kyoto and Tango runs through it, and it used to be an exceedingly difficult journey. Mt. Oe consists of Mt. Senjougatake (832 m) as its highest, Mt. Nabezuka (763 m), Mt. Hatogamine (746 m) and Mt. Akaishi (736 m). From spring to summer, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view from the mountain; possibly with a view as far as Wakasa Bay and the Tango Peninsula. In autumn, visitors can enjoy the trees’ autumn foliage and the beautiful sea of clouds, made from the mist from Yuragawa River and the mountains of Tamba. Mt. Oe is also a treasure trove to various plant species from both northern and southern regions. Due to the variety of plant life, this area was designated as the Tango-Amanohashidate-Oeyama Quasi-National Park in 2007. The Three Legends of Japanese Oni Exchange Museum Defeating the Oni on Mt. Oe You can learn about Oni in Japan and ogres around the world. The main exhibits include Onigawara (Japanese roof gargoyle), Oni masks, and local Shuten Doji Slaying by Samurai Minamoto no Yorimitsu performances about Oni. Find the answer to the question: What is an Oni? In 990, Shuten Doji (the Oni leader of Mt. Oe) was behaving [Address] 909 Busshoji, Oe-cho, Fukuchiyama City very badly in Kyoto. Minamoto no Yorimitsu and his retainers deceived the Oni by getting him drunk, only to kill him. This [Admission] Adult ¥330, High school students ¥220, Junior high and elementary story has also become a Japanese folk story. school students ¥160 [Open] 9:00–17:00 (Enter before 16:30) [Closed] Mondays (Tue. if a holiday falls on Mon.)and the days after holidays Prince Maroko and the Three Oni [Contact] 0773-56-1996 In the era of Emperor Yomei, Prince Maroko (brother-in-law of Shotoku Taishi) attacked and killed the three Oni terrorizing Mt. Oe. The signs of relics related to the legend exist in and around this region. Measuring 5 meters tall, and weighing 10 tonnes! Hikoimasu no Kimi and Kugamimi no Mikasa The huge Onigawara welcomes you! This is a story about defeating Oni appearing in the Tango Fudoki Zanketsu (historical accounts book). It is a story from the era of Emperor Sujin, recounting how Hikoimasu no Kimi killed Kugamimi no Mikasa. The story is said to be a description of the conquest of the Tango region by the Yamato government. 4 The Vast Sea of Clouds An Ocean in the Sky Mt. Oe [Photograph by Hitoshi Nakajima] Sea of Clouds Scenic View Onitake-inari Jinja Shrine at the 8th station of Mt. Oe is a highly recommended view point. Photo Spot! You will be able to see the breathtaking sea of clouds from autumn to early winter. [Address] Kitabara, Oe-cho, Fukuchiyama City [Contact] 0773-56-1055 (Fukuchiyama Tourism Association Oe Branch) Best seasons/times to see the sea of clouds 1. Early morning from late October Try and find some of to December 2. Morning following a clear fine the many Oni all over day (due to higher chance of Mt. Oe! radiative cooling) Futasegawa-Keiryu (mountain stream) The beautiful clear water and uniquely shaped rocks create dynamic breathtaking scenery varying from season to season.