CastleMountain castle (yamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 48
What makes this castle distinctive
The castle Oda Nobunaga used as his base for unifying Japan was an entire mountain.
Why?
Gifu Castle is a mountain castle on Mount Kinka (formerly Inabayama). When it became a National Historic Site in 2011, the designation covered about 209 hectares: not just the keep on the summit but Nobunaga's residence site at the foot and the natural terrain of the mountain. Nobunaga seized the castle in 1567, renamed it Gifu Castle, and for about ten years used it as his base for unifying Japan.[1][4]
The three-tiered keep on the peak and the view from it.
Why it's interesting
Today's keep is the second reconstruction, built in reinforced concrete in 1956; the first, built in 1910, burned in 1943. It is also part of the Cultural Landscape of the middle Nagara River and of a Japan Heritage story.[2][3]
Can you see it?
Not visibleClosed for renovation: the keep since May 19, 2026, and the history exhibit hall since April 1, 2026, with reopening planned for November 2027. From late August 2026 to mid-April 2027 (planned) the keep is wrapped in scaffolding and sheeting and cannot be seen from outside.
Stone walls from Nobunaga's era, found by excavation
Where
On the summit (west of the keep, around the Second Gate and elsewhere).
What to look at
Walls drawn on an Edo-period map and confirmed by excavation as dating from Nobunaga's time.
Why it's interesting
The walls of the keep base were restacked when the first reconstructed keep was built in 1910, so it was thought that none of Nobunaga's walls survived. But in fiscal 2019 excavators found, for the first time, the northwest corner of the keep base from Nobunaga's era. The city calls it an important find for understanding the origins of the castle keep, a form said to have been perfected at Azuchi Castle. In fiscal 2025, digs west of the keep also confirmed four tiers of walls, just as an Edo-period map shows.[5][6][7]
Can you see it?
Not confirmedWith excavation areas and construction closures, what can be seen on site is not confirmed.
03
Nobunaga's residence site at the foot of the mountain
Where
At the foot of Mount Kinka, inside Gifu Park.
What to look at
Terraces built on both sides of a valley, rows of huge stones, and garden remains that make use of the bedrock.
Why it's interesting
Nobunaga built his residence at the foot of the mountain. Excavations have revealed gardens designed to impress, using rows of giant stones and the natural bedrock, and the pond at the far end has been compared with that of Ginkakuji (Higashiyama-dono) in Kyoto. The Portuguese missionary Luis Frois visited and left a description of the castle.[1][8]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe Japan Heritage Nobunaga Residence Excavation Information Center in Gifu Park explains the finds (9:00–16:00, closed Tuesdays, free).
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
from JR Gifu / Meitetsu Gifu Station (by bus)
Climb
Steep climb
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 2 hours for the summit by ropeway plus the residence site (while the keep is closed).
Admission
Not applicable while closed
Hours
Closed for renovation
Access
Partly open
The keep and exhibit hall are closed for renovation (reopening planned for November 2027). You can still reach the summit by ropeway or trail, but from November 25, 2025, to the end of September 2027 (planned) part of the summit area is closed: the Meisou-no-Komichi (Mizunote) path and the Hanataka hiking course dead-end before the top and do not connect to the keep, summit toilets or ropeway. While the keep is closed, the Japan 100 Castles stamp has been moved to the Kato Eizo and Toichi Memorial Art Museum and to the ropeway's summit station.
Before any castle was built, Mount Kinka (Inabayama) was a famous scenic spot praised in poetry and a sacred mountain closely tied to Inaba Shrine. Edo-period records say Nikaido Yukimasa first fortified it in the Kamakura period. The mountain itself served as a natural fortress, with paths linking the summit castle to the residence at its foot.[1][4]
02
Historical record
Saito Dosan builds up the castle and town
In the Sengoku period, Saito Dosan, who took over the Nagai family, developed Inabayama Castle and the town of Inokuchi below it, then drove out his lord Toki and took control of Mino province. Recent excavations suggest the roots of the summit stone walls go back to Dosan's time. Dosan was killed in 1556 in battle against his own son Yoshitatsu.[4][1]
03
Historical record
Nobunaga names it Gifu and aims at the whole country
In 1567 Oda Nobunaga took Inabayama Castle from Saito Tatsuoki and moved his base here from Komaki. He rebuilt the castle on a large scale, renamed it Gifu Castle, and named the town Gifu as well. For about ten years, until he moved to Azuchi in 1576, this was his base for unifying Japan. Records of the time tell of visitors amazed by the castle's huge stones and walls and by the view from the summit.[4][1]
04
Historical record
Fallen before Sekigahara, then abandoned
After Nobunaga, the castle passed to Nobutada, Nobutaka, the Ikeda family and Toyotomi Hidekatsu, and in 1592 to Nobunaga's grandson Oda Hidenobu. In 1600, at the time of the Battle of Sekigahara, Hidenobu sided with the Western army; attacked by Fukushima Masanori and Ikeda Terumasa, the castle fell and he surrendered. In 1601 Tokugawa Ieyasu abolished the castle and had Kano Castle built nearby.[4][9]
05
Historical record
A rebuilt keep, and the whole mountain protected
A wooden keep was built on the summit in 1910 but burned in 1943, and the present keep was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1956. The site became a city historic site in 1957 and a National Historic Site in 2011, and excavations on the summit have continued since fiscal 2018. The keep and exhibit hall are closed for renovation and are scheduled to reopen in November 2027.[1][3][6][9]
The present keep is rebuilt in reinforced concrete[2][3]
Mount Kinka becomes the National Historic Site of Gifu Castle[1]
The renovated keep is scheduled to reopen (November)[2][3]
Buildings and remains
The keep today
Modern reconstruction
The second reconstructed keep, built in reinforced concrete in 1956, in the city's words (listed by the Japan Castle Foundation as a lookout-style, three-tier, four-floor reinforced-concrete reconstruction). The first was built of wood in 1910 and burned in 1943.
The site today
The whole Mount Kinka area (about 209 ha) is a National Historic Site. On the summit are the keep rebuilt in 1956 and an exhibit hall (both closed for renovation); Nobunaga's residence site lies in Gifu Park at the foot. The mountain is national forest.
Main buildings
Modern reconstruction
Keep (tenshu)
Rebuilt in 1956. Closed for renovation from May 19, 2026; reopening planned for November 2027.[3]
Lost
Nobunaga-era buildings on the summit
Lost when the castle was abolished in 1601. Excavations have found keep-base walls and foundation stones.[5][7][9]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Mountain castle (yamajiro)built on a mountain; expect a climbEditorial article
Period
Medieval (c.1185–1570s), Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Modern reconstructiona keep rebuilt in the 20th century or later; shape or position may differ from the originalEditorial article
Built by
Oda Nobunaga, Saito Dosan, Nikaidō YukimasaJapan Castle Foundation
Built
1201Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Oda clan, Nikaidō clan, Saitō clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1600Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Stone walls, Earthen ramparts, Trench cuts (horikiri), Gates, Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation
National Historic Site (Gifu Castle ruins) (2011)Editorial article
Selection
Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 48Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Partly open
The keep and exhibit hall are closed for renovation (reopening planned for November 2027). You can still reach the summit by ropeway or trail, but from November 25, 2025, to the end of September 2027 (planned) part of the summit area is closed: the Meisou-no-Komichi (Mizunote) path and the Hanataka hiking course dead-end before the top and do not connect to the keep, summit toilets or ropeway. While the keep is closed, the Japan 100 Castles stamp has been moved to the Kato Eizo and Toichi Memorial Art Museum and to the ropeway's summit station.
Address
Mount Kinka, Gifu City, Gifu (Mt. Kinka Ropeway: 257 Senjojiki-shita, Gifu)[11]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Nearest stations and how to get there
JR Gifu / Meitetsu Gifu Station (by bus)JR Tokaido and Takayama lines, Meitetsu Nagoya Line and others
Steep climb
From JR Gifu Station's North Exit bus terminal (stops 12 and 13) or Meitetsu Gifu (stop 4), take a bus about 15 minutes (250 yen) to Gifu Koen / Gifu-jo, then walk about 3 minutes to the ropeway base station. Go up by ropeway or on foot.[11]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Hours and admission
Gifu Castle keep and exhibit hall
Hours
Closed for renovation
Closed
Keep closed from May 19, 2026, and exhibit hall from April 1, 2026, until late October 2027 (planned); reopening planned for November 2027
You cannot drive to the summit or castle. Use the Gifu Park Teigai parking lot (8:30–21:00; first hour free, then 310 yen).[11]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 2 hours for the summit by ropeway plus the residence site (while the keep is closed).
Steps, slopes and footing
Beyond the ropeway's summit station there are many steps (the ropeway company says pet carts cannot be used for this reason). All hiking routes are mountain paths.[12][3]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Toilets on the summit (not reachable from some trails during the closure).[3]
English signs / audio guide
Gifu City publishes an English page on the castle's lords. On-site English signage is not confirmed.[4]
Seasons
The summit looks out over Gifu city and the Nagara River. The ropeway runs at night during certain periods (check the official site).[12][13]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
The keep is under renovation. From late August 2026 to mid-April 2027 (planned) it is wrapped in scaffolding and sheeting printed with a design and cannot be seen; scaffolding is due to come down gradually from late April 2027. Meanwhile the city recommends the view from the Kinkazan observation deck (on the roof of the restaurant by the ropeway summit).[2][13]Checked: 2026-10-03
Inside the Gifu Park visitor rest house, presenting finds from Nobunaga's residence site with videos. Free.[8]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Editors' guide
An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.
Who will enjoy it
For anyone interested in Oda Nobunaga and Saito Dosan, in watching excavation reveal a castle's past, or in views from a mountaintop.
What makes it interesting
Until the keep reopens (November 2027 planned), focus on Nobunaga's residence site and the excavation center at the foot, and the walls and views on the summit. After reopening, the keep will have new exhibits.
Before you go
The keep and exhibit hall are closed, and from late August 2026 to mid-April 2027 (planned) the keep is not even visible from outside. Some summit trails are closed. You cannot drive to the summit.
Ways to enjoy it
Ride the ropeway up, take in the Nagara River and city from the Kinkazan observation deck, then walk Nobunaga's residence site at the foot to see how the summit castle and the living quarters below worked together.
Photos
Visitor reviews
Be the first to review
Have you visited this castle? We'd love to hear from you.
Write a review
Open questions
The city calls the present keep its 'second reconstructed keep' and the Japan Castle Foundation lists it as a reconstruction, while a secondary source describes it as a mock keep that does not match the historical one.
That Nikaido Yukimasa first fortified the mountain comes from Edo-period records; the Japan Castle Foundation marks it with a question mark.
Details of the 1601 abolition and transfer of buildings to Kano Castle, and of the 1910–1943 first keep, rely partly on a secondary source.
Renovation, closure and reopening dates are plans and may change. Ropeway hours, accessibility and photo rules could not be confirmed.
AlpsdakeCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}