Tottori Castle Ruins

What to know

Tottori Castle was first built in 1532 and became the region's power center during the Warring States period. In 1581, Nobunaga's retainer Hideyoshi besieged it for over six months, starving the defenders into surrender. Later, the castle was home to the Ikeda clan, relatives of the Tokugawa shogun.

The castle stood on Mount Kyusho, about 250 meters above the city. Its defenses included fortifications at the summit and multiple rings of walls around the base. Unfortunately, the castle was dismantled during the Meiji period's modernization drive.

Today, the Tottori Castle Ruins (鳥取城跡, Tottorijō-ato) showcase impressive stone walls from the layered defenses. One original wooden gate remains, and another was reconstructed in the 2020s. Visitors can freely explore the ruins. Many stick to the lower levels, which offer great city views, but the more adventurous can hike to the summit in a steep 30–40 minute climb.

In spring, hundreds of cherry trees along the stone walls make the ruins a popular hanami spot, usually from early to mid-April.

After the feudal era ended in 1907, the former lord built a European-style mansion at the base of the castle ruins. Called Jinpukaku (closed for renovations from 2023 to 2028 or early 2029), this white wooden building features open verandas, brick fireplaces, and a beautiful wooden spiral staircase.

Jinpukaku was the first building in Tottori with electric lights and symbolized modernization. It served as a guest house for the crown prince, a public hall, reception hall, and prefectural museum. Today, it houses a small museum on the Ikeda clan and hosts public events, while the Tottori Prefectural Museum has moved to a larger nearby complex.