Takeda Castle Town Hotel

Concept

Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN is located at the foot of the ruins of Takeda Castle in Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture. Among the one hundred most famous castles in Japan, it is often called the Castle in the Sky, because on misty autumn mornings it looks like an apparition floating on clouds. We, however, invite you to think of it,
and the castle town around it,
as another home, a place you can visit year after year. When you stay at Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN, you will immediately realize that the fortress is not just an ordinary sightseeing spot but rather a place where you can feel closely connected to Japan and its people.
We strive to make that happen by housing our guests in refurbished historic buildings spread throughout the castle town—for example, the former Kimura Sake Brewery, whose story goes back over four hundred years. We also organize arts-and-crafts workshops and experiences like making miso or soy sauce to make your soul feel at
home in this charming part of
central Japan.

History of Takeda

Takeda Castle Town flourished as a key stronghold during Japan’s Warring States period. Once known as “Takeda Senken” (a thousand houses of Takeda), it bustled with merchants, craftsmen, and samurai. Even after the castle was abandoned, the town thrived as a hub along the road between Himeji and Toyooka. Today, its preserved
streets and the breathtaking view
from the castle ruins over the Maruyama River invite visitors to experience both the rich history and natural beauty of this timeless town.

Expand Your Itinerary

Offering easy access to Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto, a stay at Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN is a great opportunity to visit the major cities of the Kansai region. From Kyoto, Japan’s thousand-year capital, to the port city of Osaka, where tradition and modernity meet in electrifying ways, one can spend days exploring beyond Asago.
But at least one of those days
must be devoted to a trip to Himeji City and its famous Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Treasure of Japan. One of the finest surviving examples of a seventeenth-century Japanese castle, Himeji Castle is a true masterpiece of form and function, instantly recognizable by its bright-white walls and
wing-like roofs, which have earned
it the nickname White Heron Castle.

Our Story

Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN was born in the autumn of 2013 through the renovation of the former Kimura Sake Brewery, a site with nearly 400 years of history. Making full use of its spacious grounds in the castle town, the property has been transformed into a complex that brings people together, featuring a hotel, restaurant,
and café.

The Meiji-era buildings were carefully restored to preserve their original character as much as possible. Here, guests can experience the charm of traditional Japanese living, savor French cuisine crafted from local ingredients, and relax in a café that serves as a community gathering place.

The name “EN” means connection or relationship in Japanese. With this spirit, we hope to create meaningful encounters—between people, between past and present, and between visitors and the culture of Takeda Castle Town.

Tangible History

The Former Kimura Sake Brewery: Preserved as a registered tangible cultural property, the original building of Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN features traditional Japanese designs and furnishings that instantly transport you back in time. From the earthen walls to the kamado (cooking stoves), these remnants of Japan’s past remind
us that the things we leave behind can retain the power to deeply affect those who follow in our footsteps.

KEYAKI: Located in the hotel’s main building, this room showcases the craftsmanship of master artisans of the past. The sand walls, adorned with real gold, reflect techniques that are impossible to replicate today, leaving guests in awe of their timeless beauty.

SAKURA: The Sakura building is a former mansion overlooking the ruins of Takeda Castle. You can feel the passage of time here as you peruse the old newspaper articles now displayed on the walls, and which were most certainly read by the mansion’s former occupants.

Rooms

Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN offers thirteen guestrooms in six buildings scattered throughout the historic preservation district. The guesthouses include residences dating back to the Meiji period as well as storehouses and other structures that have been renovated to retain their original charm. The quiet ambience of the hotel
makes the accommodations feel
frozen in time, allowing our guests to clear their minds and forget their everyday worries. For guests who require additional privacy or are traveling with pets, we recommend the spacious VMG Suite in a building that can be rented in its entirety. Able to accommodate up to six people, the pet-friendly suite features nonslip
flooring and a full range of
amenities for dogs in order to ensure a pleasant stay for the whole family.

Restaurants & Dining

The restaurant Le Un at Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN is housed in a historic building that once served as a fermentation warehouse. Thick, sturdy beams, countless wooden pillars, brown-hued earthen walls, and the tataki-style earthen floor of Tamba—these elements, which once protected and nurtured the koji essential to sake
brewing, still quietly convey the
weight of time.

In this evocative space, guests can savor authentic French cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients, including Tajima beef, red snow crab, and other regional specialties, celebrating the bounty of the land. Hyogo Prefecture is Japan’s top producer of sake, and here you can indulge in exquisite local sake alongside your
meal. Experience a luxurious
moment where history, local flavors, and fine sake come together in perfect harmony.

Our Difference

Takeda Castle Town Hotel EN is located at the foot of Takeda Castle, but its appeal goes far beyond sightseeing. Guests can stroll through the historic streets wearing a hotel-provided yukata, participate in workshops led by master artisans in furniture, sculpture, and pottery, or make miso and soy sauce alongside local farmers
practicing organic and
pesticide-free methods. Experience the full charm of Takeda Castle Town and enjoy a stay that feels like a second home.

Welcome

Our mission is to present our guests with the gift of time. Time that flows endlessly through the nature and culture of Japan. Time set aside to make lifelong memories with your loved ones. Time that you will one day reflect back on with a smile. We strive to give you these experiences through the art of Japanese hospitality,
the distinctiveness of
accommodations that tell rich stories from Japan’s great past, and the breaking of language barriers by our English-speaking staff. We hope to see you soon.