Castle number 4 of my made-up castle tour to see 6 of the 12 remaining Edo castles was the last stop on 四国 Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. 丸亀城, Marugame Castle like most of Japan’s wooden structures, the complex was ravished by
The approach
Being greeted by this though, you wouldn’t imagine most of it was gone! The moat is there and a large amount of the walls are as well.
Though one of the smaller keeps, it gets props for having an insane sloped hill to climb up. I say you can’t go a day in Japan without climbing 100 stairs. Child’s play compared to this hill!
Marugame Castle Walls
These are some of the largest stone walls you will see. Of a very specific four layered style, thank you Japan for being specific! Though it’s second only to the ones at Osaka castle so I think they still count. There are three types of construction methods for the walls at the castle. There’s engraving with various symbols – how many you can spot?!
National Important Cultural Property
Like many of the other of the 12, Marugame keep isn’t the only old thing in town. The two gates you will walk through to get to the castle also have the designation. “Ote-ichi-no-mon” and “Ote-ni-no-mon” for the first and second otemon gate.
Walking through one of the gates. On the other side was a rickshaw stand. I felt bad for them, the castle “loop” is quite large and it was very hot this day!
Marugame Paper Fans
Marugame castle is famous for the curvaceous stone walls and called “ogi-no-kobai”, or fan shaped curve. So, it would make sense that it is also famous for paper fans! You can learn how to make them at a shop on the property. Or buy one they’ve beautifully already made.
They can be found in town on manhole covers much like Kochi has whale tails everywhere and Uwajima has cow demons!
The view and the keep
Marugame castle sits atop of Kameyama or Turtle Mountain at 66 meters (much shorter than some of the others). Can you guess it’s other name? Kameyama Castle. I’m sure it must have looked like a turtle with that name! It has a beautiful view out to the sea.
The keep is a three level wooden tower that is 15 meters high. Of the four I went to in Shikoku, this was definitely the smallest or at least it felt like it.
Access
All of the castles that I went on in Shikoku are easily accessible by taking the train and then a quick walk. Look out for some pretty awesome looking phone booths on your way there!