Tourist Attractions
Fukuchiyama Castle (Folk Museum)
Fukuchiyama Castle is said to originate with the construction of a new castle as a Tanba Province base for Akechi Mitsuhide who succeeded in conquering Tanba around 1580.
The castle changed hands multiple times during the war torn period thereafter, with continual improvements made until it was apparently finally completed in 1600.
The castle was demolished in accordance with an ordinance ordering the destruction of castles in the early Meiji period, with only the stone wall and Akagane gate guard station remaining, however the 3 layer, 4 floor castle keep was reconstructed in November of 1986 thanks to enthusiastic efforts by local citizens including a "1 roof tile campaign".
The castle keep was reconstructed as a free-standing watchtower type of structure, closely capturing the features of the original keep.
The stone wall is a relic of the castle from the time of its original construction, and is a bold construction made from natural stones, a technique known as Nozura-zumi, Ranseki-zumi, or Ano-zumi, and is a Fukuchiyama City designated cultural asset.
It seems disorderly and haphazard at first glance, but the stone materials used are long, reaching far back, making for a very strong stone wall.
The castle has many features similar to Azuchi Castle and Nijo Castle and other castles related to Oda Nobunaga, such as the use of stone towers within the stone walls.
The 50 m deep Toyoiwa-no-I well (the deepest castle well in Japan) still fills with clear, pure water at a height of 30 m above sea level today.
The castle keep interior is open to the public as a folk museum, exhibiting historical materials related to the castle and Fukuchiyama from ancient times up to the modern era.
The view below the castle walls from the observation tower is outstanding.
| Adress | 5 Naiki, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-23-9564 |
| Visitation | Open: 9:00-17:00 (Admission until 16:30) Closed:12/28-12/31, 1/4-1/6 |
| Access | 15 minutes' walk from JR Fukuchiyama Station. 5 minutes by Kyoto Kotsu Bus from JR Fukuchiyama Station. |
| Map | Map here |
Goryo Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to Akechi Mitsuhide and houses letters handwritten by Mitsuhide as well as the Kachu Gunpo (Family Military Law).
Goryo Park is located next to the shrine and features a tidemark sign which indicates the highest water levels during the flooding of Typhoon No. 13 in 1953, as well as an automaton clock featuring moving, animated dolls.
| Adress | 238 Nakanomachi, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-22-2255 |
| Visitation | Open access to shrine grounds |
| Access | 10 minutes' walk from JR Fukuchiyama Station. |
| Map | Map here |
Ikkyu Shrine
According to the shrine history, this shrine was built in the Nara Period.
The shrine is known as a very old and historical shrine, and the grounds feature stone lanterns still remaining from the Kamakura Period.
The shrine flourished as the guardian of the Fukuchiyama Domain during the Edo Period.
| Adress | 2249 Hori, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-22-2058 |
| Visitation | Open access to shrine grounds |
| Access | 5 minutes by Kyoto Kotsu Bus from JR Fukuchiyama Station (Get off at "Ikkyu Jinja Mae" stop). |
| Map | Map here |
Dogenji Temple
During the Sengoku (warring states) period, this was the site of the mountain keep of local Otsuki Clan and fortified earthen walls and dry moats still remain within the temple grounds.
Red and white peonies flower within the temple grounds in May, attracting many visitors.
The temple is also known by the nickname "Botan-ji" (peony temple).
| Adress | 1256 Isa, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-27-5036 |
| Access | 10 minutes' walk from JR Isa Station. |
| Map | Map here |
Kanonji Temple
Famously known as the "Ajisai Dera" (hydrangea temple) for the approximately 10,000 hydrangeas that bloom at the temple.
The temple holds open air tea ceremonies and exhibitions of "Shiga" (poetic artworks) from early June to late July (admission fees are required during this period only).
The free green foliage and changing autumnal leaves within the temple grounds with its babbling streams are also beautiful sites. Visitors can also attend sermons if they make prior reservations.
| Adress | 1067 Kannonji, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-27-1618 (Prior reservations required to view cultural assets) |
| Visitation | 9:00～17:00 |
| Access | 15 minutes along the prefectural highways from the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway Fukuchiyama IC/National Route 9 towards Ayabe City. 20 minutes' walk from JR Isa Station. |
| Website | http://www.tanba-ajisaidera.com |
| Map | Map here |
Yosenji Temple
A Zen temple founded by Sanko Kokushi. During early autumn, the entire temple grounds are covered with blooming Japanese clover which attracts many visitors from the Keihanshin region.
The "Hana to tori ezu" ceiling painting of the Kannon temple is said to have been used in the Kagura court music hall of Fukuchiyama Castle.
| Adress | 375 Naka, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-22－3887 |
| Visitation | 9:00～17:00 |
| Access | 30 minutes' walk from JR Fukuchiyama Station. 10 minutes by Anga Bus from JR Fukuchiyama Station (Get off at the "Danchi Mae" stop and walk 5 minutes). |
| Map | Map here |
Choanji Temple
Famously known as the "Tanba momiji tera" (Tanba Japanese maple temple). The temple is said to have been constructed by an imperial order by Maroko Shino, biological brother of Shotokutaishi and is much loved as a place of worship and relaxation with its vibrant natural beauty and dry landscape garden.
| Adress | 577 Okunobe, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-22-8768 |
| Visitation | 9:00～17:00 |
| Access | Approximately 10 minutes by car or 40 minutes' walk from Fukuchiyama Station 20 minutes from the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway Fukuchiyama IC |
| Website | http://www.chouanji.jp/ |
| Map | Map here |
Tenneiji Temple
This temple is located in the northern part of the city in the Oro valley enveloped in rich natural surroundings. Constructed during the Nanboku-cho period (Northern and Southern Courts period), this was the temple of the 4th Muromachi Shogun Yoshimochi. The temple grounds are lined with halls, and the temple is well known for its many treasures and valuable cultural assets.
| Adress | 1474 Oro, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-33-3448 |
| Visitation | Summer: 8:00-17:00, Winter: 9:00-16:00 |
| Access | Approximately 10 minutes by Taxi from JR Fukuchiyama Station. Approximately 3 km after travelling to National Route No. 175 from the National Route 9 Fukuchiyama City Maki Intersection. |
| Map | Map here |
Kongoji Temple and Mt. Mitake
Mt. Mitake was established as a branch temple of Mt. Hiei during the Heian Period as a Shugen sect place of worship dedicated to Zaougongen.
Kongoji Temple was a temple that was located inside of the Mt. Mitake Shugen sect. The temple developed on the hillside honors the memory of when it was part of the Shugen sect.
| Adress | 687 Kita, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-33-2503 |
| Access | 10 minutes after heading from National Route No. 9 to National Route 426 towards Izushi and turning right. |
| Map | Map here |
Daigoji Temple
Daigoji Temple is located to the back of Sandan-ike Park, as if looking down over the city.
Daigoji Temple is a Zen Sect temple established in 1341 in memorial to Emperor Godaigo.
The principal image of worship was created in 1571 by Hon Kosho, who was a Kyoto Shichijo Buddha sculptor famous for creating the of the Kyoto Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple (Toji Temple) main hall Yakushisanzon statue.
| Adress | 1 Izaki, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-22-2317 (Prior reservations required to view cultural assets) |
| Access | 10 minutes by car from JR Fukuchiyama Station. |
| Map | Map here |
Obara Shrine
Obara Shrine is said to have been constructed in 852, and attracts many worshippers who mainly pray to the goddess of easy and safe childbirth.
| Adress | 191-1 Obara, Miwacho, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-58-4324 |
| Visitation | Open access to shrine grounds |
| Access | Take the JR Bus Enbuku Line from JR Fukuchiyama Station and get off at the "Tanba Shinbashi" stop, then take the City Bus Obara Line to the "Obara" stop. |
| Map | Map here |
Motoise Naiku Kotaijinja Shrine
Motoise Naiku Kotaijinja Shrine has one of the only two black lumber tori gateways in the country, and is a shrine with a long and distinguished history, said to have been established more than 54 years before the Grand Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
| Adress | 217 Oecho Naiku, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-56-1011 |
| Access | 15 minutes' walk from Oeyamaguchi-Naiku Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway. |
| Map | Map here |
Motoise Geku Toyokedaijinja Shrine
Motoise Geku Toyokedaijinja Shrine is dedicated to the agricultural god "Toyoke No Okami" who descended from heaven to the Tango region, and so is referred to as the main shrine of the Grand Shrine of Ise Geku.
| Adress | 60 Amadauchi, Oecho, Fukuchiyama-shi |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0773-56-1560 |
| Access | 5 minutes' walk from Oe Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway. 15 minutes' walk from Oe-Koko-mae Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway. |
| Map | Map here |