Because of the flow of traffic and commerce made possible by the river and roads, Miki city considered as an important transportation hub and center of industry at that time.

Akamatsu Mitsusuke assassinated Ashikaga Yoshinori at a banquet in Kyoto, but his revolt was ultimately unsuccessful and the clan lost much of its territory.

However, the much weakened Akamatsu, facing further threaten from the west and north, and riven by internal discord, were unable to maintain control over the Bessho clan, who soon emerged as an independent power in the region.

During this time, Miki Castle was greatly expanded in size, growing to cover an area of 500 square meters.

[2] In 1577, Oda Nobunaga began his campaign to conquer western Japan and appointed Hashiba Hideyoshi as his regional commander.

[4] Since Taiga drama “Gunshi Kanbe” aired in 2014, visits to the Miki castle ruins and surrounding area have increased.

[10] During the Siege of Miki, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built earthwork fortifications around Miki-jō, which remain to this day, and were designated a National Historic Site by the Japanese government in 2013.

From the Miki-Ono IC tollgate of the San'yō Expressway, the Miki Castle ruins are accessible from National Highway 175 and Hyōgo Prefectural Road 20.