Remains of Tottori Castle, One of the Three Excellent Castles in the Lush Hills of Kyusho-zan, Karigane-yama, and Maruyama Café Commanding a Vista Resembling a Picturesque Scene from a Battlefield Scroll in the Days of the Samurai
Transforming from season to season, the superb scenery is reflected on the crystal waters of Yawata Lake, with the backdrop of the beautiful hill range. In front of the café is a grand vista that can be described as a naturally formed Japanese garden, making the café popular especially among connoisseurs. In the olden days, there were three castles on the hills in front of the museum. Tottori Castle stood on Kyusho-zan Hill, the farthest of the three hills from the museum. Its ridge runs to Karigane-yama, located on the right-hand side in front of Kyusho-zan Hill. Karigane Castle was constructed on Karigane-yama, while Maruyama Castle was built on Maruyama Hill, located in front of the museum. Constructed in the lush hills, these castles served as the bases for the rule of the area from the Warring States Period to the Edo Period.
During the Warring States Period, Tottori Castle experienced many battles. In the 16th century, at this castle, 30,000 soldiers led by Hashiba Hideyoshi under the order of Oda Nobunaga, who boasted the greatest military influence in Japan in those days, maintained a standoff against 1,500 soldiers led by Kikkawa Tsuneie under the order of Mori Terumoto, who was the most influential warlord in the Chugoku region in those days. To isolate the three castles, Hideyoshi continued to close in on them for four months. This operation was called “Thirst to Death in Tottori.” After the fierce battle was fought, Tottori Castle was developed into the castle where the Ikeda family resided in the Edo Period. Currently, it has become a popular historical site and park, with its ramparts and some other parts preserved or repaired. Why not visit the museum and view the beautiful, majestic mountain scenery that transforms from season to season? You will surely experience special moments of awe of the samurai culture, by imagining a picture scroll from the long gone days of the samurai.