MK Guide Recommends

Perched on Mount Azuchi overlooking Lake Biwa, the Azuchi Castle Ruins mark the site of one of Japan’s most ambitious architectural projects. Built in 1579 by Oda Nobunaga, the revolutionary warlord who sought to unify the nation, Azuchi Castle fused military might with lavish aesthetics—rising in vivid color and gold leaf, unprecedented in design. Though destroyed just three years later, the stone foundation, climbing stairs, and remnants of massive gates remain, inviting visitors to retrace Nobunaga’s footsteps. The hike to the summit offers both a physical and historical ascent, with panoramic views of Biwa and interpretive signs providing context. While the structure is gone, the ambition still lingers in the air.