6 Castles in Kagawa worth your time
Japan Gems
Kagawa Prefecture has five castles, including Amagiri Castle and Marugame Castle. These sites offer a look into Japan's past.
Kagawa has 6 castles on Japan Gems. Below are the 6 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 Kagawa.
01
Yashima Castle
KAGAWA · CASTLE 屋嶋城
Yashima Castle is an ancient fort with unique Korean-style defenses, offering historical insight and scenic views.
What it is
- One of the earliest structures on the island, built in 667.
- A fort built to guard against invasion by Tang China and Silla.
- Site identified in 1998, mentioned in the Nihon shoki.
What to see
- Roughly six-meter-high stone wall, in Korean fort style.
- Excavated and restored gate on the southern slope.
- Gate is 2.5 meters above approach, requires a ladder.
- Second entrance (ojo) at right angles to the main gate.
- Walking trails on former fort ramparts, spanning 7 kilometers.
02
Kiyama Castle
KAGAWA · CASTLE 城山城
Explore Kiyama Castle, an ancient mountaintop fortress with impressive double-layered walls and gates.
What it is
- Ancient Japanese mountain castle ruins.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1951.
- Built on Mt. Kiyama, 462 meters above sea level.
- One of the ancient mountain castles not in literature.
What to see
- Castle gates and water gates.
- Stone artifacts.
- Double-layered castle walls encircling the mountaintop.
- Inner wall is about 3.5 kilometers long.
- Outer wall is about 4.2 kilometers long.
- One castle gate on the north side of the inner wall.
03
Marugame Castle
KAGAWA · CASTLE 丸亀城
Marugame Castle has a rare original Edo period wooden keep and impressive ramparts.
What it is
- One of 12 castles in Japan with a surviving wooden keep.
- Original castle built between 1597 and 1602 by the Ikoma family.
- Decommissioned after the Meiji Restoration of 1868.
What to see
- Distinctive three-story keep dating to 1660.
- Ote Ichino and Ote Nino gates.
- Imposing ramparts, 22 meters high.
- Ramparts form four terraces between moat and keep.
- Official site
- www.city.marugame.kagawa.jp
04
Hiketa Castle
KAGAWA · CASTLE 引田城
Explore Hiketa Castle, a mountaintop National Historic Site with a rich samurai past.
What it is
- A designated National Historic Site.
- A hirayamajiro, a castle on a mountain.
- Built by the Ikoma clan.
- Abandoned in 1615 due to a government order.
What to see
- Site of a castle once home to samurai clans.
- Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
Getting there
- Hiketa Station is a 20-minute walk away.
05
Amagiri Castle
KAGAWA · CASTLE 天霧城
Amagiri Castle is a medieval mountaintop castle, a National Historic Site with preserved remains.
What it is
- A medieval Japanese mountaintop castle.
- Built by Kagenori Kagawa in 1364.
- Designated a National Historic Site since 1990.
- Also known as Amagiri-jo or Amazan-jo.
What to see
- The main keep at the highest point.
- Confirmed remains of the second and third baileys.
- Castle remains preserved at Zentsuji City Museum.
06
Takamatsu Castle
KAGAWA · CASTLE 高松城
Takamatsu Castle, a rare seaside fortress, offers a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.
What it is
- A designated National Historic Site.
- Built by Ikoma Chikamasa in 1587.
- Known as Tamamo Castle.
- First and largest early modern seaside castle.
What to see
- The castle site, now Tamamo Park.
- Remains of the castle keep demolished in 1884.
- Renovations from the early Edo period.
- Official site
- www.takamatsujyo.com