I knew this was a rebuilt castle that was no longer open to the public, but I still wanted to see it.
The castle was originally built in 1594 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi by an army of 20 to 30 thousand workers. Only two years after it was originally built an earthquake destroyed it. Hideyoshi ordered another castle to be built, then died in 1598. At that time the castle was taken over by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle was destroyed in a battle, rebuilt, then dismantled when it was ordered only one castle per area. Some of the buildings were repurposed into other castles in the area, including Fukuyama Castle, Yodo Castle, and Osaka Castle.
This modern replica was build in 1964 near the original site of the castle. It is said to have little resemblance to the original, apart from the twin keeps. It was originally open to visitors, but no longer. I was able to walk around the park grounds and view it from the outside only.
If you are interested in Japanese castles, check out my Castle Page, with links to posts on the castles I have visited.
Japanese castles are always beautiful on the outside, even the modern replicas. However, many are horrible inside, with concrete walls, elevators, linoleum flooring and stark fluorescent light. You do not feel you are inside a castle at all. I don't know what the Fushimi Momoyama castle looks like inside, but maybe you are lucky you could not enter...
The outside view is lovely, anyway. But it is interesting that someone felt it was worth building, but not apparently to make it closely resemble the original.
Japanese castles are always beautiful on the outside, even the modern replicas. However, many are horrible inside, with concrete walls, elevators, linoleum flooring and stark fluorescent light. You do not feel you are inside a castle at all. I don't know what the Fushimi Momoyama castle looks like inside, but maybe you are lucky you could not enter...
ReplyDeleteThe outside view is lovely, anyway. But it is interesting that someone felt it was worth building, but not apparently to make it closely resemble the original.
ReplyDeletePamela: There must be hundreds of beautiful castles to visit in Japan, I would love to go visit someday.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Even from the outside it's very impressive!
ReplyDelete