The dark castle and its moat loom ominously over the surrounding hillside. Built in 1611 by Lord Yoshiharu Horio, it is six floors high and commands an unbeatable 360° view of the town, its surroundings, Shinji Lake and Mount Daisen. Perhaps because it never actually had to fight off an attack, the castle is one of the most well-preserved in Japan, with its beautiful wooden frame, gables and curved roofs. Inside, scale models and weapons, etc. chart the history of the city.