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.
Now, the ruins of Takamatsu Castle have become Tamamo Park (tamamo is an old Japanese word which means something like “beautiful algae”.) The range of the park is inside the inner moat and part of the middle moat of the castle. The park has several entrances, but if you drive to the ruins of the park, you can park in front of the main gate called Asahi-mon. From the parking lot, you will see a great view of the remaining three-story turret called Ushitora-Yagura with the background of some modern buildings. The turret was actually moved from the Eastern Enclosure to the present position in 1967.
The aerial photo around the castle
Ushitora-Yagura Turret that can be seen from the parking lot
You can enter the gate after walking on the Asahi-bashi Bridge over the middle moat. You will also go through a square space surrounded by large stone walls called Masugata, which was built for defense.
Entering the Main Gate after crossing the Asahi-bashi BridgeThe Masugata space in the gate
Going Third, Second Enclosures, and Main Tower Base in Main Enclosure
The inside of the gate is the riding ground enclosure or Sakura-no-Baba which is now planted with lots of cherry trees. Then, you go across the earthen bridge to enter the ruins of the Sakura-mon Gate and the third enclosure. However, as of February 2022, the gate is under construction and scheduled to be restored by the spring of 2022, so you will have to use the temporary path.
The riding ground enclosureThe earthen bridge to the Third EnclosureThe Sakura-mon Gate under the restorationThe temporary path
The third enclosure still has a traditional hall, called Hiunkaku, which is not original to the castle, but was built as the house for the former lord, the Matsudaira Clan, in modern times. It is now owned by Takamatsu City and used for ceremonies and events. The enclosure also has a Japanese garden you can enjoy looking around.
The Hiunkaku HallThe Japanese garden in the Third Enclosure
You can go further from the third enclosure to the second enclosure and the main enclosure with the stone wall base for the Main Tower. The only way to get to the main enclosure is by crossing the restored roofed wooden bridge called saya-bashi.
From the Second Enclosure to the Main EnclosureThe Saya-bashi BridgeThe entrance of the bridge
You can also go on the top of the base and see a good city view, and inside of the base which was recently repaired. In fact, the city is considering restoring the main tower.
The stone wall base for the Main TowerThe inside of the base for the Main TowerA view of the sea around from the base
Tsukimi Turret beside Sea in old days
I recommend you also visit the northern side of the park, which was the sea in the past. You will see the other remaining three-story turret called Tsukimi-Yagura with the remaining Mizunote-mon Gate and the Watari-Yagura Turret. The Mizunote-mon Gate was open to the sea and is the only remaining such gate. The Tsukimi-Yagura Turret is also very beautiful with many decorations. You can imagine them standing out beside the sea in the past.
Tsukimi-Yagura Turret, Mizunote-mon Gate and Watari-Yagura TurretThis area in front of the turrets and gate was in the seaThe beautiful Tsukimi-Yagura Turret
