Travel in Yamagata
Kaminoyama Castle
Kaminoyama Castle · 上山城
Explore local history at Kaminoyama Castle, whose current building houses a museum, and look over the hot-spring town from its observation deck.
After the exhibitions, head to the observation deck to see the town and the castle’s surroundings.
Kaminoyama Castle official homepage: Thursday and December 29–31 closures Official sources Kaminoyama Castle: individual admission, hours and Thursday closures
Visitor information
Address
〒999-3154 山形県上山市元城内3番7号
3-7 Motojonai, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture 999-3154, Japan
Location on the mapAdmission
Regular admission costs ¥600 for adults, ¥500 for high school and university students, and ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students. On Saturdays, elementary, junior high and high school students who live in Kaminoyama or attend school there can visit free.
Opening hours
Opening hours are 09:00–17:15, with admission until 16:45. The castle closes every Thursday, or the preceding weekday when Thursday is a public holiday, and from December 29 to 31. Seasonal notices may announce temporary Thursday openings, so check your date.
What to see at Kaminoyama Castle
Town views after the local history exhibitions
Explore local history in the museum, then head to the observation deck overlooking the town. Combine the exhibitions with views of the surrounding area.
Kaminoyama Castle: local history museum and observation deck
How to get to Kaminoyama Castle
Take the JR Ou Main Line from Yamagata Station to Kaminoyama-Onsen. Follow the route on the facility’s access map for the roughly seven-minute walk to the castle. After visiting, retrace your route to the station and take a train toward Yamagata. Adult paper tickets for ordinary trains cost ¥260 each way, or ¥520 return; limited-express and Shinkansen supplements are extra. Check outward and return train times and fares for your actual date.
JR official timetable: Yamagata to Kaminoyama-Onsen JR official timetable: Kaminoyama-Onsen to Yamagata Kaminoyama Castle: about seven minutes on foot from the station JR 2026 revised ordinary paper-ticket fares: ¥260 for main-line journeys of 11–15 km, compared with a direct route search
Before you visit
Check closing days before a Thursday visit
The castle closes on Thursdays, or the preceding weekday when Thursday is a public holiday, and from December 29 to 31. Seasonal notices may announce temporary Thursday openings, so check your date.
Kaminoyama Castle: individual admission, hours and Thursday closures Kaminoyama Castle official homepage: Thursday and December 29–31 closures
Questions about Kaminoyama Castle
What can I see inside Kaminoyama Castle?
The local history museum has exhibitions about the area. Afterwards, head to the observation deck for views of the surrounding town.
Kaminoyama Castle: local history museum and observation deck
Official sources
- Kaminoyama Castle official homepage: Thursday and December 29–31 closures ·
- Official sources ·
- Kaminoyama Castle: individual admission, hours and Thursday closures ·
- JR official timetable: Yamagata to Kaminoyama-Onsen ·
- JR official timetable: Kaminoyama-Onsen to Yamagata ·
- Kaminoyama Castle: about seven minutes on foot from the station ·
- JR 2026 revised ordinary paper-ticket fares: ¥260 for main-line journeys of 11–15 km, compared with a direct route search ·
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