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Uwajima Castle

愛媛県

4.2

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

Talented castle builders built famous castles in Shikoku.

Uwajima Castle was built by Todo Takatora, known as a master of castle construction. It is also known as "Tsurushima Castle" and the surviving twelve-story castle tower is designated as an important cultural property of the country. The beautiful white walls are also one of its attractions.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic HistoryRainny day

Highlights

Point 1

See the Beautiful White Castle Tower

Uwajima Castle is said to have been completed in 1666 and is one of only 12 remaining existing castle towers in Japan. However, because it was built during a peaceful era, it has different features from other existing castle towers. First, while many other castles have small spaces for shooting guns, Uwajima Castle does not. Second, the handrails inside the castle have intricate designs. There are also other differences from other castles built during peaceful times, so let's explore and find them!

Point 2

Pass Through the Oldest Level of Gateways

The Uwajima Castle's gateway is one of the largest remaining Yakuimon gates in the country. It's surprising that it has survived since the Edo period, just like the castle tower. It's located on the opposite side from the parking lot, so those who come by car need to walk a bit, but it's recommended to see this impressive building that gives off the atmosphere of the "entrance to the castle."

Point 3

Discover Traces of the Uwajima Clan

Passing through the entrance gate, you can see many existing remains. Among them, the "Sato-yama Warehouse" was the Date family's arsenal and is a very rare Edo period heritage site. There are also samurai residences designated as tangible cultural assets of the city, such as the "Hanol Kuwaoji Samurai Nagaya Gate," where you can feel the history firsthand.

Point 4

Enjoy Rare Plants at Shiroyama

At Uwajima Castle, which has avoided fires for over 300 years, you can see giant trees and rare plants. It's said that about 400 species of plants and trees grow there, and the plants that have grown over many years and the giant trees that are at least 300 years old are a must-see. Along the way to the castle tower, there are moss-covered stone walls and stone steps, and even in the summer, you can take a refreshing forest bath while strolling.

History

Explore the History of Uwajima Date Family's Castle

Uwajima Castle is a castle built by "Todo Takatora," who is famous as a castle builder and was active from the Warring States period to the early Edo period. After that, "Date Hidemune," the eldest son of Date Masamune, entered the castle, and it continued to be the residence of the Date family for nine generations. Although the castle tower was rebuilt after it became the Date family's castle, the castle's structure has been inherited from that time, so it's interesting to imagine the past while touring it.

Access

Recommended Access by Train or Car

Uwajima Castle is located about 1 km from JR Uwajima Station, making it easily accessible even without a car. There are buses from Uwajima Station, and it's also reassuring that it's only about a 10-minute walk. If you're coming by car, there are paid parking lots (100 yen per hour) with space for about 50 cars, so if you want to efficiently explore the surrounding area, please visit by car.

Required time

Recommended to Secure About an Hour

Uwajima Castle is a compact castle, so it's recommended to secure about an hour to feel at ease. The time required to reach the castle tower is about 10-15 minutes one way, and since the tower has a three-story structure, you can see the exhibits inside in about 30 minutes. There are many rare plants growing inside Uwajima Castle, so if you want to observe them thoroughly, you might want to secure a little more time.

Basic Information

	Business Hours	9:00～17:00
	TEL	0895-22-2832
	Web Site	https://www.city.uwajima.ehime.jp/site/uwajima-jo/

Average Review

4.2

5 Reviews

山城で天守閣まで急なコースと穏やかコースの二つがある。山上に天守閣があり、NOバリアフリーで急な階段で上階に登ることとなる。三層の天守閣だが山城につき、最上階からの眺めは格別の感あり

天守通常料金200円、65歳以上160円、団体160円でした。児島惟謙先生の銅像を拝見して、宇和島城入城伊達政宗の長男、秀宗が入城後、明治を迎えるまで南海の伊達9代の居城でした。国が定める重要文化財に指定されている天守は、宇和島伊達家2代藩主の宗利が寛文6（1666）年頃に建築したもので現存天守です。かつて同所には、築城の名手として有名な藤堂高虎が慶長6（1601）年に建築した天守がありましたが、天守台の石垣を含めて宗利により全面的に建て直されました。高虎の宇和島城は3重3階建てで望楼型で下見板張で、宗利の宇和島城は3重3階建てで層塔型で白漆喰総塗籠（しろじっくいそうぬりこめ）と違いがあるようです。上がり立門から入り、式部丸を通り煙硝櫓を観て、代右衛門丸矢倉、南角矢倉を見上げながら、長門丸門まで歩く。雷門を通り、城番屋敷を横目に進んで御書物矢倉を観ながら、三の門を通り、北角矢倉を観ながらニの門を通る。二の丸に到着。櫛型門（一の門）をくぐれば本丸に到着。天守は千鳥破風、唐破風、軒唐破風が観られ天辺には鯱が牛の角のように装飾されていて宇和島らしい威厳がありました。天守入城。こじんまりとした内装ではあるが石垣の天守台を持つ層塔型の天守であるので当時の最新を取り入れた素晴らしい天守でした。帰りは二の丸、雷門を通り、想像を超えた長さの長矢倉を観て、西角矢倉、北角矢倉を拝見し、藩老桑折氏武家長屋門から出城しました。最後に宇和島城のピンバッジを買って帰りました。

小さなお城ですが…ここも小高い丘の上にありますが遊歩道が整備されてるので歩きやすい😊現存天守閣です✌️ ちょっと見、昔の蔵みたいに見えるのは私の気のせいでしょうか？😊

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