Sumoto Castle

History

A castle was first founded on this site by Atagi Haruoki in 1526. When the Awaji area was conquered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he assigned Sengoku Hidehisa as lord of the castle. In 1585, Wakisaka Yasuhara was reassigned from Takatori Castle to Sumoto Castle. Wakisaka renovated much of the castle during his 24 year reign. In 1615, Awaji came under the control of the Tokushima domain and Hachisuka Yoshishige became the new lord. The castle lordship was passed to Inada Shigetane, a retainer of the Hachisuka in 1631. The Inada continued to rule until the Meiji Restoration.

Visit Notes

These pictures don't do it justice but Sumoto Castle has many impressive stone walls. It is a bit difficult to get to on public transportation but would be a worthwhile trip for anyone living in the Kansai area or castle fans with some extra time around there. The reconstructed "main keep" is really just a simple lookout tower to provide nice views. It should not be considered historically accurate nor representative of any castles.

Gallery

stone walls and a lookout tower
Stone walls of the honmaru entrance
Stone walls and the lookout tower
View from the top

Castle Profile
English Name	Sumoto Castle
Japanese Name	洲本城
Alternate Names	Mikuma-jo
Founder	Atagi Haruoki
Year Founded	1526
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Designations	Next 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Year Reconstructed	1928 (concrete)
Features	stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Awaji Highway Bus from Kobe Sannomiya to Sumoto Bus Center; 20 min walk
Visitor Information	The reconstructed tower is currently closed because it needs structural repairs.
Time Required
Website	http://sumoto-castle.net
Location	Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture
Coordinates	34° 20' 15.50" N, 134° 54' 10.33" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2012
Contributor	Frank T.
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

3.00

(4 votes)

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RaymondWDaimyo

2 months ago

Score 0

Eric, you have incorrectly attributed this castle profile to me. I did visit this castle in 2014, but I haven’t taken photos with a date stamp on them for yonks, not since I made the switch from film to digital photography at the start of this millennium. The photos on this castle profile are not mine. They look like photos by another castle photo / profile contributor, possibly Frank T’s efforts.

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EricShogun

2 months ago

Score 0

The infamous Frank T. I stand corrected! Thanks.

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RaymondWDaimyo

one month ago

Score 0

Eric, thanks for fixing this.

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Anonymous user #1

3 months ago

Score 0 You

My mothers maiden name is Inada. She is the last surviving relative of the Inada clan. When I was in sixth grade I visited the family cemetery in Tokushima. I plan on going back one of these days

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Kikima34Gunshi

71 months ago

Score 0

This castle may be small, but the design is cool and the view is breathtaking

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ARTShogun

84 months ago

Score 0

Due to awkward bus times to and from Awaji Island, I was only able to stay briefly at Sumoto Castle, visiting the honmaru (main bailey), but skipping the higashinomaru (eastern bailey). I’d like to go back but it’s not the easiest place to get to. That said, the superb ishigaki (stone walls) at Sumotojō made it worth visiting, even if I had to run back down the mountain to catch my bus back to Shikoku in time.

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Anonymous user #1

4 months ago

Score 0 You

My mom is the last living relative of the Inada clan believe it or not

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ARTShogun

4 months ago

Score 0

You're alive too though, right?

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