A site I never thought I’d see in Kyoto, the Fushimi Momoyama Castle stands tall and proud to rival the magnificence of Japan’s best castles.
Perhaps the spotlight of Fushimi Momoyama Castle has been robbed because of the likes of the globally popular Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine just around the corner. However, it is an utter shame that foreigners are not familiar with this incredibly majestic castle that is not only a symbol of visual aesthetics but rich in Japanese history.
A Quick History
Fushimi Momoyama Castle was originally built in the 16th Century to commemorate Emperor Meiji and his wife, the most important figures of the Meiji Restoration and the end of Feudalism that resulted in the Japan that we know today.
The castle once held the tomb of Emperor Meiji, but the original iteration of the castle was destroyed and rebuilt in 1912, while the tomb of the Emperor was moved to a nearby location.
Nevertheless, Fushimi Momoyama Castle is still seen as the main place of commemoration for Emperor Meiji and a symbol of his grand impact on Japan’s modern era of peace.
Beautiful Garden Areas
Bonsai trees are the name of the game at the grounds of Fushimi Momoyama Castle, offering brilliant manicured plants that create a serene walking path for its visitors.
As soon as you arrive at the main car park outside, you’ll find a grand entrance with big gates that beckon you into the castle grounds.
On either side are not only well-kept gardens but also wide open spaces where families and friends often gather for outdoor activities and casual sports.
Speaking of sports, Fushimi Momoyama Castle is located adjacent to a huge sporting complex where many gather for indoor activities like futsal, basketball, and badminton.
Stunning Autumn Leaves
I use the term “stunning autumn leaves” way more than I should, but I simply don’t know a better way to describe these golden tokens of glory!
Some of the shots you can get of these amazing trees with the Fushimi Momoyama Castle backdrop really begs the question of why foreigners and tourists don’t seem to be in sight here.
Honestly, Fushimi Momoyama Castle is, in many ways, superior to the likes of the globally popular Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle.
Firstly, it has a more interesting color scheme consisting of red, white, and black colors rather than the standard dominant white we see in other castles, and it also has more nature and forestation surrounding the structure which adds to its beauty.
Fancy A Drink?
At the base of Fushimi Momoyama Castle is a rather convenient vending machine with a range of hot and cold beverages to choose from.
This includes water, sports drinks, soft drinks, juices, teas, and coffee, and there are even more vending machines outside the adjacent sporting complex selling things like hot corn soup and red bean porridge too!
I opted for a hot hojicha (roasted green tea) and enjoyed it while relaxing in one of the many sitting areas around the castle.
Anecdotal as it may be, visiting Fushimi Momoyama Castle was one of those rare moments where I felt completely in tune with the present moment, a feeling I hope we can all embrace more often!
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