Marugame Castle (丸亀城) is a castle located in Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. The castle was built in 1597 by Ikoma Chikamasa during the Azuchi-Momoyama period and is one of the 12 surviving original castles in Japan.
The castle is known for its unique five-story donjon (tower), which has a striking black exterior and a distinctive curved roof. The interior of the donjon is six stories high. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the surrounding city and countryside.
Inside the castle, visitors can explore exhibits on the history of the castle and the samurai era in Japan. The exhibits include historical artifacts, weapons, and armor.
One of the unique features of Marugame Castle is its impressive stone walls, considered to be the tallest in Japan. Visitors can climb a series of steep stone steps to reach the castle, which provides a sense of adventure and excitement. The main keep, along with Ote-Ichino-Mon and Ote-Nino-Mon gates, are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
In addition to the castle, the surrounding area of Marugame City is also worth exploring. The city is known for its traditional Japanese-style shopping street, which is lined with shops and restaurants selling local specialties such as Sanuki udon noodles and Japanese sweets. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions such as Nakazu Banshoen Garden and the Genichiro Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art.
Details
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Reception closes at 4:00 PM. |
| Admission | Adults: 400 yen |
| Phone | +81 877-25-3881 |
| Address | Ichibancho, Marugame, Kagawa 763-0025 |
| Official Website | https://www.city.marugame.lg.jp/site/castle/ |