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Takamatsu Castle is a stunning fortress surrounded by the sea. Despite its prime location in the heart of Takamatsu City, this castle stands as the foremost of Japan’s Three Great Seaside Castles, offering visitors unique experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.
From spectacular views atop the tenshudai (castle tower base), feeding sea bream in the castle moat, to cruising the inner moat aboard a traditional Japanese boat—combined with the Important Cultural Property Tsukimi Yagura turret that has stood for 350 years, the beautifully restored Sakura-gomon Gate, and the elegant Taisho-era Hiunkaku building—no other castle offers such a rich blend of historical exploration and unique activities.
In this article, we introduce all the highlights of Takamatsu Castle. From the charms unique to a castle surrounded by seawater to the architectural beauty of Important Cultural Properties, we hope to convey the diverse appeal of this remarkable fortress.
Takamatsu Castle is a seaside fortress in the heart of Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, renowned as the foremost of Japan’s Three Great Seaside Castles. Also known as Tamamo Castle, this beautiful citadel draws visitors from across Japan with its moats filled directly with seawater from the Seto Inland Sea. Designated as one of the Japan’s Top 100 Castles, it is the representative tourist attraction of Kagawa Prefecture.
| Official Name | Historic Site Takamatsu Castle Ruins Tamamo Park |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 - 1 Tamamo - cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa 760 - 0030 |
| Closed | December 29 - December 31 |
| Admission | Adults (16+): 200 yen, Children (6 - 15): 100 yen, Under 6: Free *Price revision scheduled from April 1, 2026 (Adults 300 yen, Under 18 Free) |
| Duration | Approximately 1 - 1.5 hours |
| Access | 3 - minute walk from JR Takamatsu Station 1 - minute walk from Kotoden Takamatsu - Chikko Station |
| Parking | Tamamo Park Free Parking (57 spaces) |
| Phone | 087 - 851 - 1521 |
| Website | http://www.takamatsujyo.com/ |
| West Gate (Sunrise - Sunset) | East Gate | |
|---|---|---|
| April - May | 5:30 am - 6:30 pm | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm |
| June - August | 5:30 am - 7:00 pm | |
| September | 5:30 am - 6:30 pm | |
| October | 6:00 am - 5:30 pm | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| November | 6:30 am - 5:00 pm | |
| December - January | 7:00 am - 5:00 pm | |
| February | 7:00 am - 5:30 pm | |
| March | 6:30 am - 6:00 pm |
The greatest charm of Takamatsu Castle is undoubtedly the breathtaking views from the tenshudai. Although the castle tower no longer exists, climbing the stone-walled tenshudai offers panoramic views of this beautiful seaside fortress integrated with the Seto Inland Sea. The unique landscape created by drawing seawater directly into the moats truly lives up to its reputation as a “castle floating on the sea,” continuing to captivate all who visit.
Takamatsu Castle is recognized as the foremost among Japan’s Three Great Seaside Castles, alongside Imabari Castle (Ehime) and Nakatsu Castle (Oita). A seaside castle is one built facing the sea or a lake, utilizing water for defense. Takamatsu Castle is particularly highly regarded as Japan’s largest-scale seaside castle, having drawn Seto Inland Sea water into all three layers of its moats. From the tenshudai, you can witness the magnificent scale of this seaside castle structure with your own eyes.
The current tenshudai underwent major stone wall restoration work from 2006 to 2013 and has been made safe for visitors to climb. The stone walls where a three-story castle tower once stood still retain their dignity from those times, and hopes for tower reconstruction continue to grow.
The Sakura-gomon Gate of Takamatsu Castle is the main gate, restored in 2022 (Reiwa 4) after approximately 77 years. Destroyed in the Takamatsu air raids of 1945 (Showa 20), it was faithfully reconstructed to its Edo-period appearance based on archaeological surveys, historical photographs, and documentary records.
The restoration work employed traditional wooden joinery techniques and the same materials used in the original construction, including assembly methods using joints and mortises without nails—Edo-period craftsmanship passed down to modern times. The dignified presence of this substantial wooden turret gate conveys the high status befitting a castle’s main entrance.
This newly restored beautiful gate invites visitors into the castle world of the Edo period, serving as a gateway through time itself.
The Tsukimi Yagura of Takamatsu Castle is a three-story turret built in 1676 (Enpo 4) and designated as a national Important Cultural Property. Having preserved its beautiful form for approximately 350 years, it is beloved as Takamatsu Castle’s symbolic structure now that the castle tower has been lost.
Originally positioned at the northernmost point of Kitanomaru, Tsukimi Yagura served as the key to maritime defense, monitoring enemy ships from the Seto Inland Sea. True to its name meaning “moon-viewing turret,” it was also used as an elegant building for enjoying moon viewing, allowing visitors to appreciate the essence of Edo-period architecture that combined practicality with beauty.
The interior is open to the public every Sunday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-3:00 pm, offering close-up views of the wooden construction techniques and building methods of the time.
The Mizute-gomon Gate of Takamatsu Castle, located south of Tsukimi Yagura, is a rare gate found nowhere else in Japan. Its most distinctive feature is that it opens directly toward the sea—literally serving as the “water gate,” an entrance to the sea that functioned as a castle gate unique to seaside fortresses. It remains Japan’s only surviving sea-facing main gate, a precious historical structure.
During the Edo period, Mizute-gomon served as the exclusive pier for the lords of Takamatsu Domain. When the lord departed for or returned from Edo on sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) duties, he would board a small boat from this gate to reach his larger ceremonial vessel anchored offshore. It was truly the prestigious “sea entrance” unique to a seaside castle.
The gate is still opened every Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, allowing visitors to experience the same sea-facing gate as the feudal lords of old. Looking out at the sea from beyond the gate, you can imagine the view that castle lords saw 400 years ago—one of the most moving spots at Takamatsu Castle.
Hiunkaku was built in 1917 (Taisho 6) as a villa for the Matsudaira family and now serves as a guest house. While being an authentic single-story wooden Japanese-style building, it incorporates modern Taisho-era elements, attracting attention from architecture enthusiasts as a precious example of modern Japanese-style architecture.
The Japanese garden surrounding the building features beautiful Japanese scenery centered on black pine trees. During blooming seasons, azaleas and other flowering plants colorfully adorn the garden, allowing visitors to fully enjoy traditional Japanese garden beauty. Designed as a strolling garden, it features dry stream beds using karesansui techniques and stone bridges made of Aji stone, offering different views with each step.
Hiunkaku is still used for weddings, tea ceremonies, and other gatherings, offering special experiences in an elegant Japanese setting. While the interior is usually closed to the public, it opens for general viewing at New Year and on May 5th (park anniversary), allowing close observation of traditional construction techniques without nails and delicately decorated fusuma paintings. It’s a precious spot to experience the refined cultural side of Takamatsu Castle, contrasting with the rugged stone walls and turrets.
| Dates | Details |
|---|---|
| January 1 - 3 | New Year Free Opening Period |
| May 5 | Tamamo Park Anniversary Free Opening Day |
One of Takamatsu Castle’s greatest attractions is the sea bream feeding experience called “Taigan Joju” (literally “wish upon the sea bream”) in the castle moat. The moat, filled directly with seawater from the Seto Inland Sea, is home to red sea bream and other sea fish swimming freely, offering the rare experience of feeding sea fish at a castle.
The feeding experience costs 100 yen per session. You can purchase fish food from a capsule machine and feed the fish in the moat. When you throw food on the water surface, sea bream of various sizes gather near the surface—a powerful sight that delights children and adults alike. It’s especially popular with families, providing children with a precious nature experience interacting with live sea fish.
This experience makes the most of Takamatsu Castle’s characteristics as a seaside fortress—truly an activity unique to this location. It’s also extremely popular with international visitors, representing a surprising experience of interacting with sea fish at a Japanese castle, frequently shared on social media as one of Takamatsu Castle’s representative attractions.
Takamatsu Castle offers the castle boat experience aboard the wooden vessel “Tamamomaru,” cruising through the inner moat. This special cruise unique to Japan’s Three Great Seaside Castles allows you to enjoy castle views from the water that cannot be seen from land.
Operating from March to November (closed December-February), the experience includes commemorative gifts, costume rental, and fish food—a great value package. No advance reservation is required; simply apply at the reception on the day.
From the boat, you can enjoy Takamatsu Castle from a unique perspective impossible to experience on land. Feeling the power of stone walls looking up from water level and appreciating the structural beauty of a castle designed as a seaside fortress are charms unique to this boat journey. The boatman’s commentary on the castle’s history and highlights makes for an enriching experience that deepens your understanding of Takamatsu Castle.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 am | 10:30 am | 11:00 am | 11:30 am | 1:30 pm | 2:00 pm | 2:30 pm | 3:00 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (High School+) | 500 yen |
| Children (5+) | 300 yen |
Sakura-no-Baba is the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot within Takamatsu Castle. Approximately 76 cherry trees (mainly Somei-yoshino) are planted in the castle grounds, reaching full bloom from late March to early April each year. The scenery of cherry blossoms in full glory with the tenshudai as backdrop is beloved by many hanami visitors as the quintessential spring view of Takamatsu Castle.
During the cherry blossom season, an annual nighttime free opening is held. During this period (typically March 28 - April 6), Sakura-no-Baba is open free from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, with approximately 150 paper lanterns illuminating the cherry tree rows in a fantastical display. You can enjoy the beauty of night cherry blossoms completely different from daytime, a special time to leisurely spend a spring evening.
True to its name meaning “cherry blossom riding grounds,” this wide space was once used as a horse riding ground and is now where many people spread leisure sheets for hanami. Despite being in central Takamatsu City, enjoying cherry blossom viewing in the quiet, peaceful castle environment is special, making it an ideal spot for families and groups.
The virtual castle tower illumination using cutting-edge projection mapping technology is the highlight event of the Takamatsu Castle Festival held around May each year. The phantom castle tower, demolished in 1884 (Meiji 17), is beautifully revived in the night sky through modern technology.
Light projected from special equipment installed on the tenshudai creates a three-dimensional image of the castle tower that once stood there, allowing visitors to enjoy a fantastical presentation as if the real tower exists. During the event period, food stalls and other vendors set up, offering a special night enjoying local cuisine.
This event has attracted attention as a new attempt to revive lost cultural heritage using modern technology. As a moving presentation that brings back the majesty of Edo-period Takamatsu Castle, it provides a special experience unique to Takamatsu Castle where historical romance and cutting-edge technology merge, continuing to move many people.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| When | Around May each year (dates announced on official website) |
| Venue | Tamamo Park (Free admission) |
| Website | https://takamatsujyo.net/ |
The history of Takamatsu Castle began in 1588 (Tensho 16) when construction was started by Ikoma Chikamasa, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Designed as a revolutionary seaside castle drawing seawater directly from the Seto Inland Sea into its moats, it was an extremely advanced fortress for its time. The Ikoma clan made this castle their residence for four generations over 54 years, but in 1640 (Kan’ei 17), they were dispossessed due to the Ikoma Disturbance, an internal conflict among retainers, and transferred to Yashima in Dewa Province (present-day Akita Prefecture).
In 1642 (Kan’ei 19), Matsudaira Yorishige, elder brother of Tokugawa Mitsukuni (known as Mito Komon), entered Takamatsu Castle as the lord of 120,000 koku of Eastern Sanuki. Matsudaira Yorishige carried out major castle renovations and in 1670 (Kanbun 10) completed a three-story five-level castle tower modeled after Kokura Castle. The Matsudaira clan then made Takamatsu Castle their residence for 11 generations over 228 years, during which the Important Cultural Properties still standing today, including Tsukimi Yagura and Mizute-gomon, were constructed.
Interestingly, Takamatsu Castle is a peaceful castle that never experienced warfare from its construction to abandonment. Even during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in 1868 (Keio 4), the Matsudaira family submitted to the new government without fighting, and the castle was surrendered peacefully, welcoming the Meiji Restoration. Although many structures were subsequently demolished, the Important Cultural Property buildings and stone walls remaining today quietly tell the story of over 400 years of Takamatsu Castle history.
| Takamatsu Castle construction begins | |
| Ikoma Disturbance, Ikoma clan dispossessed | |
| Matsudaira Yorishige enters castle | |
| Three-story five-level castle tower completed | |
| Meiji Restoration, castle surrendered |
Takamatsu Castle stands as the foremost of Japan’s Three Great Seaside Castles, drawing seawater directly from the Seto Inland Sea into its moats—a truly unique fortress where historical romance and innovative experiences merge beautifully.
From the substantial architectural beauty of Tsukimi Yagura, standing for 350 years, to the beautifully restored Sakura-gomon Gate and Mizute-gomon, Japan’s only surviving sea-facing main gate, you can enjoy the charms of different eras all in one place. From the spectacular views atop the tenshudai, you can imagine the majesty of the former three-story five-level castle tower while experiencing the grand scale unique to seaside castles.
From feeding sea fish in the castle moat (“Taigan Joju”), cruising the inner moat aboard a traditional boat, to the virtual castle tower illumination using cutting-edge technology—experiences unique to Takamatsu Castle where tradition and innovation harmonize are abundant. Going beyond simple historical sightseeing, this “participatory castle experience” continues to captivate all who visit.
Just a 3-minute walk from Takamatsu Station with excellent access, Takamatsu Castle lets you fully immerse yourself in 400 years of seaside castle culture. With beautiful seaside castle scenery integrated with the Seto Inland Sea and unique seaside castle experiences found nowhere else, it truly is “a beautiful castle on the water.”
For historical exploration and unique experiences, visit Takamatsu Castle—one of Japan’s premier seaside castles. We highly recommend a visit.
