About
Oka Castle Ruins in Taketa, the inspiration for "Kōjō no Tsuki" - the melody played by the musical road.
The "Kōjō no Tsuki" Melody Road represents a unique intersection of Japanese cultural heritage, engineering innovation, and road safety technology. Located on National Route 502 in Taketa City, this special road section features precisely-cut grooves in the asphalt that create the melody of one of Japan's most beloved songs when vehicles drive over them at the proper speed. 🔗
Musical roads create tactile vibrations and audible rumbling through the wheels and body of vehicles, which is heard within the car as well as in the surrounding area in the form of a melody. The technology works by cutting grooves into the road surface at precise intervals—the spacing of grooves determines the pitch, while the depth defines the sound level. As of 2016, there are over 30 Melody Roads throughout Japan. 🔗
Cultural & Religious Significance
The song played by this melody road, "Kōjō no Tsuki" (荒城の月 - "The Moon Over the Ruined Castle"), holds deep cultural significance for Taketa City. Composer Rentarō Taki was born in Tokyo in 1879 but settled in Taketa city in 1888 while still a boy. The abandoned Oka Castle proved to be the perfect playground for young Rentarō, who explored every nook and cranny of it through all four seasons. 🔗
When Taki entered the Tokyo Music School in 1894, he took his wistful feelings about the abandoned castle with him. He composed the music for "Moon over the Ruined Castle" based on his own experience of playing as a youth at Oka Castle in Taketa. When the school's songbook was published in March 1901, Taki's castle song was chosen and included. Though he was a brilliant composer admitted to the music academy at age 15, he died tragically at the age of 23 after contracting tuberculosis while studying overseas. 🔗
The song is distinctively informed by Western romanticism rather than Japanese countryside music, and has become a masterpiece that embodies the Japanese sense of beauty. This musical road serves as a living tribute to both the composer and the historic castle that inspired his most famous work. 🔗
Visiting Information
Access from Route 57: The melody road is located on National Route 502, which can be accessed as a brief detour from the main Route 57 highway between Kumamoto and Beppu. Route 502 runs south of Oka Castle and intersects with Route 57 in the Taketa area. 🔗
Route Context: On-route stop (no detour required if visiting Taketa area), located in the Katagase district on National Route 502 when traveling from Ogata towards Taketa.
Specific Location: Google Maps coordinates: 32.967428, 131.408229 🔗
Operating Hours: Accessible 24/7 (public road)
Admission: Free (part of public highway)
Seasonal Considerations: November 2 offers perfect driving conditions with moderate temperatures around 17°C/63°F and comfortable weather. Autumn colors still visible in the mountainous Taketa area enhance the scenic drive. 🔗
Current Status: Operational (confirmed by recent visitor reports and Wikimedia Commons video from 2020) 🔗
The Experience
The primary experience is driving over the specially-grooved road section and hearing "Kōjō no Tsuki" play through your vehicle's vibrations. The road transforms your car into a musical instrument, with the grooves creating precise frequencies that resonate through the tires and body of the vehicle. 🔗
How to Experience the Melody Properly:
Speed Requirements:
- Drive at exactly 40 km/h (approximately 25 mph) 🔗
- Driving too fast will make the melody sound like a tape on fast-forward
- Driving too slow will slow down the melody beyond recognition 🔗
Listening Tips:
- Keep car windows closed to better hear the rhythmic vibrations
- The vibrations transform your vehicle into a "veritable sounding board"
- Ensure one wheel stays over the grooves throughout the section
- The sound can be heard both inside the car and in the surrounding area 🔗
Direction: The melody plays when driving on Route 502 from Ogata towards Taketa (the direction most relevant for Kumamoto-Beppu travelers coming from Route 57). 🔗
Duration: The drive-through experience takes 2-3 minutes (approximately 250-320 meter section typical of Japanese melody roads).
Practical Visiting Tips
Driving Considerations:
- Be mindful of other vehicles while experiencing the road—this is an active highway
- Musical roads were developed to discourage speeding and prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel 🔗
- Consider pulling over at a safe location after experiencing the melody if you want to discuss or reflect on it
Route Integration: The melody road fits naturally into the Kumamoto-Beppu journey as a brief, memorable stop that adds cultural depth to a scenic drive. It connects the broader themes of cultural heritage along Route 57, representing modern Japanese road engineering paying homage to traditional cultural heritage. The road is visible from Oka Castle above, running along the Ono River. 🔗
Recommended Approach:
- Set your speed to exactly 40 km/h before reaching the grooved section
- Close all windows for optimal sound clarity
- Turn off music or reduce cabin noise
- Have passengers listen quietly to appreciate the full melody
Multiple Passes: Some visitors choose to drive the section twice to fully appreciate the melody, especially if they missed the proper speed the first time. If you choose to do this, ensure you can safely turn around and return without disrupting traffic. 🔗
Combining with Oka Castle Visit: The melody road makes an excellent complement to visiting Oka Castle itself, which is located nearby. The castle ruins are the direct inspiration for the song, creating a meaningful cultural connection. Consider viewing Route 502 from the castle above to see where the melody road is located. 🔗
Cultural Context: Knowing the story of Rentarō Taki and his connection to Oka Castle enhances the experience significantly. The melody you're hearing was composed by a young prodigy inspired by childhood memories of the castle ruins, making this more than just a novelty—it's a musical monument to cultural memory. 🔗
Time Management: The melody road experience itself takes 2-3 minutes. Brief detour from Route 57 to Route 502 adds approximately 5-10 minutes total. Consider budgeting 15-20 minutes if you want to experience it twice. No significant impact on overall Kumamoto-Beppu travel time.
Budget Considerations: Completely free attraction with no parking fees required (active highway). Combines well with other free attractions like Oka Castle grounds viewing. Gas-efficient detour with minimal additional fuel cost.
Location: View on Google Maps
Source: attractions/kumamoto-to-beppu-main-route/musical-road-section.md