If you have more time, how about visiting the eastern area of the park, the former Eastern Enclosure? The area was turned into a city area, but part of the original stone walls remain among modern buildings. The remaining Ushitora-Yagura Turret was originally built in this area.
The aerial photo around the castle
The remaining stone walls among modern buildingsThe Ushitora-Yagura Turret was built on these stone walls
Later History
After the Meiji Restoration, Takamatsu Castle was abandoned, most of its buildings including the Main Tower were demolished, and many parts of it were turned into the city area. However, the former lords of the castle, the Matsudaira Clan bought the remaining primary part of the castle and lived in it. The part finally became the public Tamamo Park in 1955. The remaining turrets and gate were also designated as Important Cultural Properties in 1950.
The Hiunkaku Hall where the Matsudaira Clan lived after the Meiji RestorationThe remaining Ushitora-Yagura Turret
In addition, Takamatsu City is collecting records to restore the Main Tower. The tower had three-layers and four-stories. Its appearance was very rare, with the first and forth floors overhanging, called Nanban-zukuri or the Western Style. The city has confirmed its external appearance while its interior is still largely unknown. It is asking the citizens to offer old pictures and documents, even offering rewards.
The present stone wall base for the Main TowerThe old photo of the Main Tower, from the signboard at the siteThe external view of the restored Main Tower, from the signboard at the site
My Impression
I’m very interested in the plan to restore the Main Tower of Takamatsu Castle. If the restoration is done, the castle may look like a floating castle on the waves again. However, the essential value of castle ruins belongs to the remaining items. In the case of Takamatsu Castle, I like the remaining Tsukimi-Yagura Turret the best, but it doesn’t stand out like it used to. I hope the officials also think about how the turret looked in the past.
The remaining Tsukimi-Yagura TurretThe reclaimed land in front of the Tsukimi Turret
How to get There
If you want to visit by car: It is about 20 minutes away from Takamatsu IC on the Takamatsu Expressway. You can park at Tamamo Park. By train, it is few minutes away from JR Takamatsu Station on foot. To get to Takamatsu Station from Tokyo or Osaka: Take the Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen super express and transfer at Okayama Station to the Seto-Ohashi Line. Take a train called the Marine Liner bound for Takamatsu.
The other one is the Eastern Enclosure which was used as a lookout point. You can actually see a great view of Harima Sea from the enclosure. The primary function of this site was the lookout point. The warriors would have had to watch see transportation in the past. This enclosure was covered with something like rocks which might have been the leftover of the original stone wall.
The Eastern EnclosureHarima Sea seen from the Eastern Enclosure
Several meters down the enclosure is the Hiketa-hana light station. It was first built in 1954 which helped lead ships to safety.
The Hiketa-hana light station
Later History
After Hiketa Castle was abandoned, the Takamatsu Domain owned the ruins of the castle. They planted trees while the castle town was eventually turned into a port town and it prospered during the Edo Period. About 100 years ago during the Taisho Era, the ruins of the castle were developed as the Shiro-yama Park built with a hiking trail as well as observation platform. Higashi-Kagawa City which owns the castle ruins started to excavate them back in 2010 and found out the castle was very important in governing the area around. As a result, the ruins were designated as a National Historic Site back in 2020.
The ruins of the observation platform built in the Taisho EraA view seen from the ruins of the observation platform
My Impression
I think that the ruins of Hiketa Castle are very good educational materials for visitors who want to learn what people at that time thought about castles with stone walls and other new structures. They would have felt things would change and a new era would come, otherwise, such stone walls would not have been built on such a mountain castle which basically did not need stone walls to protect it. That’s why the castle ruins which remain now is so valuable.
The remaining stone walls of the Main EnclosureThe remaining stone walls of the Northern Second Enclosure
On the other hand, I also think the ruins still have some other things to be improved on. For example, the latest official brochure doesn’t match what the signposts say at the site in several points. Visitors may get confused. I also hope that the original Main Route will be restored in the future, open to visitors.
“The Southern Enclosure” this signpost says isn’t written in the official brochure
In addition, the Hiketa Town still has old rows of merchants’ houses. They are another good place to visit. You can also buy souvenirs there such as local soy sauces and sweets made from refined sugar called Wasanbon.
The old rows of merchants’ houses at the Hiketa Town (licensed by 663highland via Wikimedia Commons)Assorted sweets made from refined sugar called Wasanbon
How to get There
If you want to visit there by car: It is about 10 minutes away from Hiketa IC on the Takamatsu Expressway. You can park beside the Tanoura Campsite or Hiketa Port. By train, it is about 30 minutes away from JR Hiketa Station on foot. To get to Hiketa Station from Tokyo or Osaka: Take the Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen super express and transfer at Okayama Station to the Seto-Ohashi Line. Take a train called the Marine Liner bound for Takamatsu, then transfer again at Takamatsu Station to the Kotoku Line.
