Uwajima Castle
A compact original castle on a hill overlooking Uwa Sea, famous for its association with bullfighting — the only city in Japan where bull-vs-bull sumo-style fights are a living tradition.
1–2 hours
¥200
9:00–17:00 (9:00–16:00 Nov–Feb); last entry 30 min before closing.
Year-round
About 10–15 min walk from JR Uwajima Station to castle entrance, then about 15 min to the keep (about 25–30 min total to the keep)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
One of only 12 original wooden castles in Japan
- 2
The Tojo Bullfighting Ring nearby hosts tournaments 6 times a year
- 3
The Uwajima Date Clan managed this castle for 250 years — artifacts inside
Local Tips
One of Japan's twelve original castle keeps — built in 1601, compact and perfectly proportioned. The three-story exterior appears to be five stories due to clever architectural design. The castle sits on a hill above Uwajima city with good views of the Uwa Sea. Combine with the famous Taga-jinja (fertility shrine) and Jakuen-ji gardens for a full Uwajima day.
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