Sasayama Castle ruin is located in Sasayama City, Hyogo Pref. This castle is famous for having been constructed in only 6 months in 1609 under the order of Ieyasu Tokugawa and directorship of Takatora Todo, a daimyo and renowned castle designer. The castle is also called “Kiriga-jo (the castle of paulownia).” Its large shoin (reception room) and dignified stone walls represent Ieyasu’s power at the time. A Sasayama Castle ruin is also famous as cherry blossom viewing site, where about 1,000 cherry trees are planted along the moats and stone walls. In spring a lot of citizens enjoy commanding the cherry blossoms beyond the moats, sitting on the mound at the top of the stone wall. In the open space at San-no-maru (the third castle), Dekansho Festival is held in August every year, which is one of the charming sights of the city in summer.