Amagasaki Castle: A Revived Fortress Where Culture, Play, and History Converge

A Modern Rebirth of a Castle to Experience

Once dismantled under the Meiji government’s Castle Abolition Ordinance, Amagasaki Castle was brought back to life in 2019, rebuilt as a brilliant white keep thanks to the dedication of the local community. While constructed with modern techniques, its appearance recalls the elegance of Edo-period castles, giving visitors a sense of both nostalgia and freshness. Today, Amagasaki Castle has become known as a “castle to experience,” blending opportunities for learning and play.

Enjoying Amagasaki Castle Floor by Floor

1st Floor: Machiaruki Zone and Castle Post

On the first floor, the “Machiaruki Zone” welcomes visitors with floor-projected images that showcase the origins of Amagasaki and aerial views of the town. Another unique feature is the “Castle Post,” where sending a letter earns a special castle-themed postmark.

2nd Floor: Hands-On Exhibits – Experience the Weapons

The second floor, the “Amagasaki Castle Zone,” is dedicated to interactive fun. Guests can enjoy game-style swordplay and shooting simulations, while also experiencing the real weight of weapons such as spears and bows. The appeal lies not only in observing but in directly touching and trying the exhibits. In addition, a powerful large-screen VR theater vividly recreates Amagasaki during the Edo period, offering the sensation of traveling through time.

3rd Floor: Dress-Up Experience Zone

The most popular attraction is the “Dress-Up Experience Zone” on the third floor. Visitors can don samurai, ninja, or princess costumes and take commemorative photos. With golden sliding doors as a backdrop, the photos evoke the feeling of stepping back into the Edo period. This activity is popular with both adults and children, and is especially well-received by international travelers.

4th Floor: Art Gallery

The fourth floor is the “Gallery Zone,” featuring works by Ogihara Issei, an Amagasaki-born castle painter, along with other exhibitions.

5th Floor: Observation Floor

The top floor, the “Wagamachi Observation Zone,” offers sweeping views of Amagasaki. Using tablets, visitors can also compare Edo-period landscapes with today’s modern cityscape.

A “Castle to Experience” Where Learning and Play Come Together

Amagasaki Castle is not simply a reconstructed keep—it is a place where visitors can both learn history and experience culture. From the first floor to the fifth, each level gradually expands the exhibits and interactive experiences, allowing guests to enjoy the castle with all five senses. Conveniently located and easy to visit, yet filled with rich and engaging content, Amagasaki Castle embodies a new style of Japanese castle tourism—one that leaves visitors feeling a single visit is never enough.

Practical Information

• Location: 27 Kitashironai, Amagasaki City, Hyogo 660-0826, Japan

• Access: About a 5-minute walk south from Hanshin Amagasaki Station (Hanshin Main Line)

• Admission: Adults ¥500 / Elementary, junior high & high school students ¥250 / Free for preschool children

• Hours: 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)

• Closed: Mondays (open if a national holiday, then closed the following day), and New Year holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 2)