Sonobe Castle Ruins

In short

The remains of the castle of the Sonobe Domain, in central Sonobe-cho, Nantan City. For a long time it remained a jinya without a keep, but amid the turmoil of the late Edo period it was granted approval to become a castle, and it was completed in 1869 (Meiji 2). Because it became a castle under the Meiji government, it is called "Japan's last castle."

• ​A Castle Gate Turned School Gate​​: The yaguramon that served as the castle's main gate is still used today as the school gate of Kyoto Prefectural Sonobe High School. Three structures—the yaguramon, the bansho (guardhouse), and the tatsumi yagura (southeast turret)—are registered as provisionally registered cultural properties of Kyoto Prefecture
• ​Artifacts Unearthed from the Castle Grounds​​: Tea bowls, dishes, and roof tiles found in excavations, along with Nabeshima ware dishes regarded as gifts to shoguns and daimyo feudal lords, are introduced in the permanent exhibition of the Nantan City Cultural Museum
• ​Viewing from Outside​​: The center of the castle grounds is still used as a school. Please do not enter the school grounds, and view the gate and turrets from the outside

History and Highlights

​Sonobe Castle Ruins​ are the remains of the castle of the Sonobe Domain, located in central Sonobe-cho, Nantan City. In 1619, early in the Edo period, Koide Yoshichika, who had been the lord of Izushi in Tajima Province, was transferred to Tamba, establishing the approximately 30,000-koku Sonobe Domain. Becoming the first feudal lord, Yoshichika built the Sonobe jinya (administrative headquarters) around Mt. Komugi to serve as the center of domain administration and developed the surrounding town. The Koide clan governed as lords for ten generations, and the Sonobe Domain continued until the abolition of the han system in the Meiji period.

Without permission from the Edo shogunate, Sonobe remained a jinya without a keep for a long time. Amid the turmoil of the late Edo period (Bakumatsu), it was granted approval to be converted into a castle as a defensive stronghold for Kyoto. With the completion of turrets and gates in 1869 (Meiji 2), Sonobe Castle was finalized. Because it became a castle under the Meiji government, it is referred to as "Japan's last castle."

Today, the castle site is the campus of Kyoto Prefectural Sonobe High School. The main gate of the castle is used as the school's gate, and three structures—the yaguramon (turret gate), bansho (guardhouse), and tatsumi yagura (southeast turret)—are registered as provisionally registered cultural properties of Kyoto Prefecture.

Sights and Experiences

• ​A Castle Gate Turned School Gate​​: The yaguramon that served as the castle's main gate is still used today as the school gate of Sonobe High School. Together with the guardhouse and the southeast turret, the surviving gate and turrets can be viewed from outside the school.
• ​Artifacts Unearthed from the Castle Grounds​​: Excavations conducted multiple times during events such as school building reconstructions have uncovered tea bowls, dishes, and roof tiles that reflect daily life in those days. Among them are Nabeshima ware dishes, which served as gifts to shoguns and daimyo feudal lords. These excavated items are introduced in the permanent exhibition of the nearby Nantan City Cultural Museum.
• ​Mt. Komugi and Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine​​: Mt. Komugi, where the jinya was originally built, is now Sonobe Park. Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine was originally enshrined on Mt. Komugi, but with the construction of the castle, it was relocated in 1653 to Mt. Tenjin across from the castle. Details about the shrine are introduced on the page for Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine.

Tips for Exploring

The center of the castle grounds is still actively used as a school. Please do not enter the school grounds, and view the gate and turrets from the outside. From Sonobe Station on the JR Sagano Line, take a Keihan Kyoto Kotsu bus and get off at "Sonobe Koko-mae." The Nantan City Cultural Museum is located about 200 meters from the castle ruins, allowing you to walk there alongside Sonobe Park adjacent to the museum. Viewing the gate after learning about the history of the Sonobe Domain and the artifacts excavated from the castle grounds at the museum will make it easier to trace its transformation from a jinya into a castle.