9 Castles in Ehime worth your time
Japan Gems
Ehime Prefecture has eight castles, including Ōzu Castle and Imabari Castle. These historic sites offer a glimpse into Japan's past.
Ehime has 9 castles on Japan Gems. Below are the 9 we can tell you the most about — each one written up in English from Japanese sources, with what to see and how to get there. See all castles in Ehime.
01
Ōzu Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 大洲城
Ōzu Castle offers a reconstructed wooden keep and historic turrets, a scenic stop for castle enthusiasts.
What it is
- A castle first built in 1331 by Utsunomiya Toyofusa.
- Also known as Jizōgatake Castle and Hiji Castle.
- Extensively repaired by Todo Takatora in the early Edo period.
- Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006.
What to see
- Four turrets remain from the Edo period.
- These turrets are Important Cultural Properties.
- The castle ruins are a prefectural historic site.
- A 4-story main keep reconstructed in wood in 2004.
When to go
- Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Getting there
- 20 minutes walk from Iyo-Ōzu Station.
- Accessible by JR Yosan Line.
- Official site
- www.ozucastle.jp
02
Imabari Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 今治城
Imabari Castle is a reconstructed water castle, notable for its unique seawater moats.
What it is
- A castle also known as Fukiyage Castle.
- Construction began in 1602 by Todo Takatora.
- Completed in 1604, it is a great water castle.
- Designated an Ehime Prefectural Historic Site in 1953.
What to see
- Unique structure with three moats drawing in seawater.
- Stone walls and inner moats of the main keep remain.
- A five-story, six-floor main keep built in 1980.
- The Kurogane Gomon gate, restored in 2007.
- A statue of Todo Takatora in the Ninomaru.
When to go
- Designated one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in April 2006.
- Official site
- www.city.imabari.ehime.jp
03
Matsuyama Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 松山城
Explore Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan's last original castles, for historical architecture and city views.
What it is
- A hirayamajiro castle on Katsuyama mountain.
- Residence and government office of the Iyo-Matsuyama Domain.
- One of Japan's Three Great Hirayamajiro castles.
- One of Japan's Three Great Renritsushiki Hirayamajiro castles.
What to see
- The largest castle in Shikoku.
- The main keep, rebuilt in the late Edo period.
- One of 12 existing castle keeps in Japan.
- Twenty-one buildings are Important Cultural Properties.
- Castle ruins designated as a National Historic Site.
- The castle has a renritsushiki style.
- Official site
- www.matsuyamajo.jp
04
Uwajima Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 宇和島城
Uwajima Castle is a rare original castle keep, a National Historic Site with unique design.
What it is
- A hirayama-jiro type castle on a hill.
- Built by Todo Takatora on Itajima Marukushi Castle site.
- Administrative center for Uwajima Domain during Edo period.
- Also known as Tsurushima Castle.
What to see
- The main keep, rebuilt by Date Munetoshi.
- Main keep is an Important Cultural Property.
- Noboritachi Gate is a city-designated cultural property.
- Yamasato Warehouse, a weapons storehouse from 1845.
- Castle's outer perimeter has a pentagonal shape.
- Official site
- www.city.uwajima.ehime.jp
05
Noshima Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 能島城
Explore Noshima Castle ruins, a National Historic Site, and experience the tidal currents of the Seto Inland Sea.
What it is
- Ruins of a naval castle built by the Noshima Murakami clan.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1953.
- Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan in 2017.
What to see
- Well-preserved castle ruins.
- Main, second, and third bailey, and an outwork.
- Reconstruction of Murakami Suigun Castle is underway.
When to go
- Sightseeing boats offer a tidal current experience.
06
Yuzuki Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 湯築城
Explore Yuzuki Castle ruins, a National Historic Site, to experience medieval Japanese history.
What it is
- A Japanese castle built in 1335 by Kono Michimori.
- Designated as a National Historic Site.
- Abandoned shortly after 1587.
- Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006.
What to see
- Moats and earthworks of the castle still exist.
- The site was developed as Dogo Park in 1888.
- Excavation of the castle ruins began in 1988.
- Official site
- www.dogokouen.jp
07
Kawanoe Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 川之江城
Kawanoe Castle, a 1984 reconstruction of a 14th-century mountain castle, offers historical insights and views.
What it is
- A castle in Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture.
- Also known as Butsuden Castle.
- Originally a Buddhist temple.
- Built in 1337 by Dohi Yoshimasa.
What to see
- A rebuilt keep, turrets, and gates.
- Keep modeled after Inuyama Castle's keep.
- Mountain castle with a main enclosure.
- Stone walls in the main parts of the castle.
08
Amazaki Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 甘崎城
Explore Japan's oldest naval castle, a unique historical site with an underwater stone wall.
What it is
- Japan's oldest naval castle, built by the Ochi clan.
- A base for the Murakami Suigun.
- Collected passage tolls from ships.
- Designated historical site in Ehime Prefecture.
What to see
- Remains of the castle on Kojōjima island.
- Unique underwater stone wall.
- Historical site recorded by a German in 17th century.
09
Einōsan Castle
EHIME · CASTLE 永納山城
Explore extensive ruins of an ancient mountain castle, a National Historic Site with unique historical finds.
What it is
- Ancient Japanese mountain castle ruins.
- Designated a National Historic Site.
- Discovered in 1977.
What to see
- Castle walls approximately 2.5 kilometers long.
- Walls are mainly earthworks with some stone masonry.
- Forge-related remains within the castle area.
- Pottery fragments from Asuka and Nara periods.