Mt. Takeda can be seen easily to the north from downtown Hiroshima. During the14th and 15th centuries, there was a castle named Kanayamajo on this 411-meter peak which once overlooked the lower delta of the Ota River, an area that is now Hiroshima City. It is said that Nobumune Takeda, then governor of Aki province, built the Kanayama Castle at the beginning of the14th century in an area that had already prospered as a center for transportation. The castle was an ideal strategic point for the defense of this area. However, in 1541, it was attacked and destroyed completely by a great warlord, Mori Motonari, who had risen from being a common warrior in Yoshida, Takata-gun, to become a daimyo, a feudal lord, and ruled the whole Chugoku region. Hiroshima Castle was originally built by his grandson, Terumoto Mori.

This hike starts from the Shimogion Station on the JR Kabe Line, from where it would be an easy one-hour ascent to the old site of the castle.

�ŸGetting there

Take a train on the JR Kabe Line from Hiroshima Station and get off at Shimogion Station. From the station, walk west for 30 minutes to Takedayama Ikoi no Mori. From there a 45-minute ascent takes you to the mountain top.

�ŸSuggested Schedule

JR Kabe Line
Hiroshima Station(9:04)===(Kabe Line)===Yokogawa Station(9:13)===

===Shimogion Station(9:22)----Takedatama Ikoi no Mori(9:50-10:00)---

---Mt.Takeda(11:00-12:00)----Takedayama Ikoi no Mori(13:00)---

JR Kabe Line
---Shimogion Station(13:33)===(Kabe Line)===Yokogawa(13:42)===

===Hiroshima Station(13:47)