Marugame Castle
Japan's highest stone walls (60m fan-shaped ramparts), topped by one of Japan's 12 surviving original wooden keeps. The construction geometry is considered masterful — the walls curve outward, impossible to climb.
1–2 hours
¥400 (keep; junior high and below free)
9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00); park always open
Year-round
15 min walk from Marugame station (JR Yosan Line)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
The stone walls use the 'nozurazumi' technique — natural stone stacked without cutting
- 2
The view from the top over Marugame port and Seto Inland Sea is the best on Shikoku's north coast
- 3
Marugame uchiwa (fans) are made nearby — artisan workshops give demonstrations
Local Tips
One of Japan's twelve original castle keeps and the one with Japan's finest stone walls — the 'fan-shaped' ishigaki curves are considered a masterpiece of castle engineering. The castle town below is famous for Marugame uchiwa (fan-making), one of Japan's traditional crafts. The keep is compact and the views over the Seto Inland Sea are exceptional.
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