Uwajima Castle: Shikoku’s Elegant Surviving Castle Tower

Introduction

In the heart of Uwajima City in southern Ehime Prefecture, facing the Uwa Sea, a lush hill rises above the urban landscape. Perched atop it stands Uwajima Castle — one of only twelve original castle towers remaining in Japan, and a renowned fortress designed by the master castle builder Todo Takatora as a coastal stronghold. The three-story, three-level tower sits on a hill approximately 80 meters above sea level, standing resolutely against the Uwajima sky alongside its weathered stone walls, conveying the spirit of centuries past to all who visit.

What makes Uwajima Castle most distinctive is its location and history. Originally built on the tip of a peninsula jutting into the sea, this fortress was called a “sea castle” — an impregnable stronghold surrounded by water on three sides even at low tide. Although land reclamation has erased most traces of the surrounding sea today, the stone walls and tower still evoke the grand vision of the warlords who once commanded the Uwa Sea.

What makes this castle even more extraordinary is its deep connection to the Date clan. In 1615, Date Hidemune became the first lord of the domain upon entering the castle, and from that point on, the Uwajima Domain remained under Date clan rule until the end of the Edo period. Hidemune was the eldest son of the famous “One-Eyed Dragon” Date Masamune, yet was passed over as heir to the Sendai Domain. The dramatic story of how he traveled to distant Shikoku to build a new domain captivates history enthusiasts to this day.

Uwajima Castle was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1960 and attracts numerous visitors throughout the year. During cherry blossom season, the castle hill is blanketed in soft pink against the backdrop of the tower, creating a spectacular photo opportunity. The sense of achievement upon climbing the stone steps to the summit, combined with the panoramic views of Uwajima city and the Uwa Sea below, is an experience reserved exclusively for those who make the visit.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to Uwajima Castle, covering its overview, history, highlights, surrounding tourist spots, and access information. We invite you to fully enjoy the charm of this original castle tower and the depth of Uwajima’s heritage.

Overview of Uwajima Castle

Uwajima Castle is a hilltop castle standing in the center of Uwajima City in the southwestern part of Ehime Prefecture. The castle hill measures roughly 250 meters from north to south and 200 meters from east to west — a relatively compact hill with a three-story, three-level tower still standing at its summit. This tower is believed to have been originally built by Todo Takatora between 1601 and 1608, though the structure that survives today is the one rebuilt by Date Munetoshi in 1666.

The “Twelve Original Castle Towers” refers to twelve castles across Japan that retain their tower keeps as originally built before or during the Edo period. These include Hirosaki Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Maruoka Castle, Inuyama Castle, Hikone Castle, Himeji Castle, Matsue Castle, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, Marugame Castle, Matsuyama Castle, Kochi Castle, and Uwajima Castle — all twelve are national treasures that preserve the architectural techniques and culture of the Edo period. Among them, Uwajima Castle’s tower, while somewhat more modest in scale, is highly regarded as a masterpiece that combines unique elegance with sturdy construction.

The castle hill covers an area of approximately 10 hectares and has been maintained as Shiroyama Park. Covered with mature evergreen broadleaf trees, the hill is beloved by local residents as a place of relaxation, offering seasonal beauty from spring cherry blossoms to fresh green maple leaves in early summer and autumn foliage. Tens of thousands of visitors enter the tower each year, making it Uwajima City’s premier tourist attraction.

Uwajima Castle draws particular attention for two reasons: its location as a “sea castle” and its association with the Date clan. At the time of construction, the castle sat on a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, forming a natural fortress against maritime attacks. Additionally, the Uwajima Date clan — a separate branch from the Sendai Date family — was actively involved in the loyalist movement at the end of the Edo period, with the seventh lord, Date Munenari, earning his place in history as one of the “Four Wise Lords of the Bakumatsu.”

History of Uwajima Castle

The Beginning — Todo Takatora’s Sea Castle Design

The history of Uwajima Castle begins in the turbulent era spanning the end of the Sengoku period and the dawn of the Edo period. A medieval fortress called Itajima-Marukushi Castle originally stood on this site. Also known as Itajima Castle, it was defended by warriors serving the Saionji clan and the Chosokabe clan of Tosa. However, everything changed with Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaign to conquer Shikoku in 1585.

After the pacification of Shikoku, Toda Katsutaka was granted this territory and undertook improvements to the castle, but the Toda clan failed to distinguish themselves during the campaigns in Korea and was eventually stripped of their domain. Then, around 1595, the Uwa District was granted to the man who would later be celebrated as the “master castle builder” — Todo Takatora. Takatora began full-scale construction in 1601.

The most distinctive feature that Todo Takatora incorporated into Uwajima Castle was its design concept as a “sea castle.” The topography of Uwajima at that time placed it at the tip of a small peninsula extending into the Uwa Sea, creating a natural stronghold surrounded by water on three sides. Takatora made maximum use of this terrain, designing a castle whose stone walls rose directly from the sea surface. This design, which allowed both defense against maritime attack and escape by sea, was remarkably advanced for castle architecture of its time.

Takatora was renowned for his genius in nawabari (castle layout planning), and beyond Uwajima Castle, he designed many famous castles including Imabari Castle (Ehime Prefecture), Iga Ueno Castle (Mie Prefecture), and Sasayama Castle (Hyogo Prefecture). The layout of Uwajima Castle features stone walls with graceful curves known as “fan-shaped gradient” — an engineering innovation designed to deflect ocean waves and enemy attacks. Takatora spent approximately eight years completing the foundation of Uwajima Castle, governing this domain until his transfer to Imabari in 1609.

The Date Clan’s Arrival and Development of the Castle Town

After Todo Takatora’s transfer, Tomita Nobutaka entered as castle lord, but following the Summer Siege of Osaka in 1615, Date Hidemune became the first lord of the Uwajima Domain (Uwajima Date clan). Hidemune was the eldest son born to a concubine of the “One-Eyed Dragon” Date Masamune. Since Tadamune, born to Masamune’s principal wife Megohime, became heir to the Sendai Domain, Hidemune was granted the 100,000-koku domain of Uwajima instead.

Hidemune’s arrival at the castle marked a major turning point in the history of Uwajima Castle and its castle town. Having journeyed from Sendai to Uwajima, Hidemune brought the culture and techniques of Sendai while developing a distinctive castle town. Much of the town’s street layout and samurai residence placement was established during this period, and traces of this planning can still be glimpsed in today’s urban grid.

One of the most notable events during Date clan rule was the reconstruction of the tower by the second lord, Date Munetoshi. In 1666, Munetoshi demolished the original tower built by Todo Takatora and erected the three-story, three-level tower that stands today. Although somewhat smaller than the original, its white plaster walls and graceful silhouette have been cherished as the defining symbol of Uwajima’s landscape ever since.

Throughout the Edo period, the Uwajima Domain developed industries based on agriculture, fishing, and forestry, and the castle town flourished as the political, economic, and cultural center of southwestern Shikoku. Fishing was particularly notable, with sea bream and pearl cultivation thriving — and “Uwajima-style tai-meshi” (sea bream rice) has been passed down as a culinary tradition of the castle town to this day. During the domain era, Uwajima was even called a “Little Kyoto,” having developed its own unique cultural sphere blending the samurai culture brought by the Date clan with the region’s natural environment.

The Castle Abolition Decree and Meiji-Era Transformation

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 brought great challenges for Uwajima Castle. During the final years of the shogunate, the seventh lord of Uwajima, Date Munenari, was praised alongside Shimazu Nariakira of Satsuma, Yamauchi Yodo of Tosa, and Matsudaira Shungaku of Echizen as one of the “Four Wise Lords of the Bakumatsu.” Known as a forward-thinking politician who promoted the opening of the country and modernization, Munenari was ahead of other domains in adopting Western artillery and technology.

After the Restoration, the Uwajima Domain was dissolved through the return of lands to the emperor (1869) and the abolition of domains (1871), and Uwajima Castle came under the control of the new government. With the issuance of the “Castle Abolition Decree” (Dajokan Decree No. 33) in 1873, many castles across the nation came under the jurisdiction of the Army Ministry, and buildings deemed unnecessary were demolished one after another. At Uwajima Castle, many structures besides the tower — including the Ninomaru Palace, Sannomaru facilities, and various turrets — were torn down.

However, the tower narrowly escaped demolition. While various theories exist as to why, it is said that the cost and effort of dismantling it was deemed not worthwhile, and that voices from the local community advocated for its preservation. Having survived the demolitions, the tower continued to watch over the streets of Uwajima through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. Meanwhile, with the dissolution of the domain that once maintained it, the tower interior and the castle hill as a whole went without adequate maintenance for an extended period, leading to progressive deterioration of the structure.

The Meiji-era transformations drastically altered the appearance of the castle town as well. Many samurai residences were demolished or repurposed, and new-era buildings rose around the castle hill. Yet the fundamental framework of the castle town centered on Uwajima Castle survived, forming the foundation of the modern cityscape.

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

Full-scale restoration of the deteriorating Uwajima Castle tower began in the Showa era. In 1934, the tower was designated a National Historic Site, officially recognizing its cultural value. Preservation efforts began before the war, but the restoration project was interrupted by World War II.

As postwar reconstruction progressed, a major dismantling and repair of the tower was carried out between 1958 and 1960. This work involved replacing damaged structural members and reinforcing the foundations, with the aim of restoring the building as closely as possible to its original appearance. In 1960, the tower was designated a National Important Cultural Property, placing it under formal national protection in both name and substance.

Ongoing preservation and maintenance projects have continued under the direction of Uwajima City and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, with stone wall repairs, improvement of access paths, and installation of interpretive signs carried out in stages. Since the 1990s, infrastructure improvements to accommodate growing numbers of tourists have been actively promoted, significantly enhancing the convenience of Shiroyama Park.

In the 2010s, portions of the aging stone walls were identified as being at risk of collapse, and repair work was undertaken. The restoration of the stone walls employed the concept of “reconstructive repair,” matching the types of stone and stacking methods to their original condition, with the utmost care given to maintaining the historic landscape. It is the accumulation of these steady preservation efforts that has carried Uwajima Castle through to the present day.

Modern Uwajima Castle — A Tourist Destination

Today, Uwajima Castle welcomes a great many visitors as the centerpiece of Uwajima City’s tourism. The entire castle hill has been developed as a park, and the tower interior is open for viewing with an admission fee of 200 yen for adults. Visiting hours are from 9:00 to 16:00 (last entry at 15:45), and the castle is open nearly year-round, closing only on one special day — the Sunday following the first Saturday in December.

There are multiple routes to reach the tower. The main route starts from the site of the Otemon (main gate), while an alternative route approaches from the Ninomaru (second enclosure) side. The Otemon route features approximately 300 meters of stone steps lined with cherry trees. From late March to early April each year, the entire castle hill is adorned with roughly 200 cherry trees, and the “Uwajima Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” is held. The hill bustles with visitors combining flower viewing and historical exploration, making it a beloved rite of spring in Uwajima.

In recent years, nationwide interest in the “Twelve Original Castle Towers” has surged, and Uwajima Castle has gained increased recognition as a destination for castle enthusiasts and history buffs on “tower pilgrimages.” In particular, since the rise in popularity of the “Castle Certification Exam” in 2015, the number of castle-loving visitors has been on the rise. Additionally, as a site associated with the Date clan, active tourism exchanges with Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture are taking place, drawing attention to the castle’s role as a historical bridge connecting Tohoku and Shikoku.

The city is advancing tourism promotion strategies centered on Uwajima Castle, including the preservation of the castle town’s historic landscape and the development of sightseeing courses linking Date clan-related historic sites. Uwajima Castle’s role as “the gateway to understanding Uwajima” will undoubtedly continue well into the future.

Highlights and Recommended Spots

Here is a curated selection of must-see spots when visiting Uwajima Castle. From the tower itself to the stone walls, scenic views, and surrounding historic sites, we cover all the attractions Uwajima Castle has to offer.

• The original castle tower (three stories, three levels; National Important Cultural Property) — preserving the architectural beauty of the Edo period
• The beautiful curved stone walls known as the “fan-shaped gradient” — the crystallization of Todo Takatora’s design philosophy
• Panoramic views from the top floor of the tower — a breathtaking vista overlooking the Uwa Sea and city
• Date Museum — exhibiting the Date clan’s weapons, furnishings, and historical materials
• Samurai residence ruins in the castle town — remnants of the former Uwajima Domain from the Edo period

The Original Castle Tower

The crowning highlight of Uwajima Castle is, without a doubt, the original surviving castle tower. The three-story, three-level tower presents a beautiful contrast between white plaster walls and dark baseboards when viewed from outside, exuding a sense of dignity within its solid, stable form. At approximately 15.65 meters tall, it is relatively compact among the surviving towers, yet its well-proportioned exterior captivates all who see it.

This tower was rebuilt by Date Munetoshi in 1666 and is architecturally described as a hybrid of the “watchtower style” (boro-gata) and “tiered tower style” (soto-gata). The roof combines karahafu (cusped gables) and chidorihafu (triangular gables), faithfully conveying the architectural style of early Edo-period castle towers. The white plaster exterior walls, worthy of the nickname “White-Walled Castle,” emanate a pristine quality that contrasts vividly with the green hillside.

The tower interior is a three-level structure, with increasingly steep staircases connecting each floor. While the interior from the first to third floors is relatively simple, the views from the windows on each level provide an excellent understanding of the castle’s position and Uwajima’s topography. The top floor (third level) is an observation space surrounded by windows on all four sides, offering a 360-degree panorama of the Uwa Sea islands and Uwajima city on clear days.

Inside the tower, interpretive panels about Uwajima Castle and the Date clan are displayed, allowing visitors to learn about the castle’s history while exploring. Admission is very reasonable at 200 yen for adults (100 yen for children), and the experience of stepping inside a genuine Edo-period castle tower while feeling the weight of history is worth far more than the price of admission. Please note that the tower contains steep staircases, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Stone Walls and Enclosures

The stone walls of Uwajima Castle represent one of the greatest legacies of Todo Takatora’s exceptional castle-building expertise. The stone walls constructed throughout the castle hill are characterized by their beautiful curves known as the “fan-shaped gradient.” This refers to a structure where the slope is gentler at the base and becomes steeper toward the top, creating a curve that appears to flare outward when viewed from below. This design served not only an aesthetic purpose but also a structural one, preventing the stone walls from collapsing.

The transitional stacking technique employed by Takatora — evolving from “nozura-zumi” (rough-hewn stacking) to “uchikomi-hagi” (fitted stacking) — utilizes the natural shapes of the stones while creating a cohesive, attractive surface. Walking around all four sides of the castle hill to observe the stone walls reveals that the stacking methods and types of stone vary from place to place. This tells the story of successive expansions and renovations — the stone walls themselves serve as a timeline of Uwajima Castle’s history.

The castle’s enclosures (kuruwa) are arranged in a three-tiered structure of Honmaru (main enclosure), Ninomaru (second enclosure), and Sannomaru (third enclosure), with the Honmaru — where the tower stands — at the highest point. Today, the Ninomaru and Sannomaru have been developed as parkland with benches and open spaces. These areas once housed the lord’s palace and guardhouses, but they were demolished after the Castle Abolition Decree. Some foundation stones still remain underground, and archaeological excavations have gradually revealed the scale and layout of the original buildings.

For viewing the stone walls, the area around the “koshi-kuruwa” (waist enclosure) below the Honmaru is particularly recommended. From here, you can gaze up at the full extent of the Honmaru stone walls at close range, feeling the scale and stacking techniques firsthand. The “shikiri-mon-ato” (partition gate ruins) along the stone steps leading from the Ninomaru to the tower is another noteworthy relic. The gate’s foundation stones remain, inspiring the imagination to picture the castle’s former defensive layout.

Views from the Castle Hill

The views from the tower’s top floor and the castle hilltop never fail to impress visitors. While 80 meters may not seem particularly high, the flat terrain of Uwajima’s urban area means the views are wide open and remarkably clear.

Looking northwest from the top floor (third level) windows, you can see the Uwa Sea and its islands, including Kushima and Hiburi-jima. The Uwa Sea features a complex rias coastline, with quiet inlets and green peninsulas alternating in succession — a landscape that epitomizes the quintessential beauty of Japan. The lords who once ruled from this sea-surrounded castle must have gazed upon the same sea while contemplating the future of Uwajima.

Below, the Uwajima cityscape stretches out. Its orderly grid pattern reflects the castle town layout established by the Date clan during the Edo period. Where the sea once stood, reclaimed land now supports commercial facilities and residences, creating a striking contrast with the encircling green mountains that captures the essence of modern Uwajima.

The castle hill is especially enchanting in the early morning hours. The tower emerging through the morning mist takes on an entirely different character from its daytime appearance. At dusk, the Uwa Sea gleams gold and the silhouettes of the islands float on the horizon in a magnificent spectacle. This is also when camera-toting tourists and amateur photographers gather around the tower. The views from the castle hill, offering different charms with each season and time of day, are a treasure of Uwajima Castle that never grows old, no matter how many times you visit.

Date Museum

Located at the base of the castle hill on its southern side, the Date Museum is a museum that houses and exhibits precious cultural properties passed down through the Uwajima Date family. Opened in 1951, the museum holds approximately 30,000 items, including art objects, weapons, furnishings, and historical documents accumulated over ten generations of the Uwajima Date clan.

Among the exhibits, the collection of weapons and armor associated with successive domain lords draws particular attention. Lavish military robes adorned with the Date family crest of “bamboo and sparrow,” along with finely crafted swords, are masterpieces that convey the height of samurai culture. Items said to have been brought from Sendai by the first lord, Date Hidemune, and household objects used by successive lords are also on display, offering an intimate look at the aristocratic culture of the Edo period.

Materials related to the seventh lord, Date Munenari — known as a reformer during the Bakumatsu period — are also well represented. Munenari was a progressive daimyo who advocated for the opening of the country and modernization, and documents and portraits documenting his achievements can be viewed within the museum. The exhibits tracing Munenari’s involvement in the turbulent final years of the shogunate — from the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce controversy to his cooperation with Satsuma and Choshu — are essential viewing for history enthusiasts.

The Date Museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30) and is closed on Mondays (or the following day when Monday falls on a holiday). Admission is 500 yen for adults. Visiting alongside Uwajima Castle tower provides a deeper understanding of the Uwajima Date clan’s history. The museum shop offers original merchandise themed around Uwajima and the Date family, which is popular as souvenirs.

Samurai Residence Ruins in the Castle Town

Around Uwajima Castle, historic sites and former samurai residence grounds that preserve the atmosphere of the Edo-period castle town are scattered throughout. A walk from the area near the castle hill to the old town center allows you to experience the history of the Uwajima Domain right in the streets.

The first stop on a castle town stroll should be the Otemon (main gate) ruins. Currently, a stone marker and interpretive sign stand in front of the Uwajima City Library, indicating where an imposing castle gate once stood. The road from the Otemon ruins toward the castle hill is called “Shiroyama-dori” and has been maintained as a charming stone-paved lane.

The castle town also retains a daimyo garden called “Tenshaen.” Tenshaen is a strolling garden built by the eighth lord of the Uwajima Domain, Date Munetada, after his retirement, completed in 1866. The garden features ponds, bridges, a tea house, and bamboo groves, with the serene beauty of a late Edo-period garden condensed into a tranquil setting. Managed by Uwajima City, admission is 300 yen for adults.

In the former samurai residence district of the castle town, some homes of former domain retainers remain in use as private residences to this day. Several houses with preserved earthen walls and gates are scattered along the streets, and simply walking through the area evokes the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town. Walking maps of the castle town are available at the tourist information center, making them a useful companion for exploring on foot. The historical walking course connecting Uwajima Castle, the Date Museum, and Tenshaen offers a rich half-day experience.

Nearby Tourist Spots

Bullfighting (Traditional Culture of Uwajima)

No discussion of Uwajima is complete without mentioning its “togyu” (bullfighting). Uwajima’s bullfighting is not the matador style where humans control the bulls, but rather a uniquely Japanese form called “yokozuna togyu,” in which two bulls lock horns and battle each other. Along with Kagoshima, Shimane, Niigata (Yamakoshi), and Okinawa (Uruma), it represents one of Japan’s few remaining bullfighting traditions, and Uwajima’s bullfighting is designated as an Ehime Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Uwajima bullfighting tournaments are held several times throughout the year, with the biggest event being the “National Championship” on August 14. The matches take place at the Uwajima Municipal Bullfighting Arena in the northern part of the city, and on tournament days, the venue is packed with locals and tourists from across the country. The impact of massive bulls weighing 700 to 1,000 kilograms colliding is overwhelming, and the atmosphere — a fusion of dust clouds, bellowing bulls, and cheering spectators — is something that can only be experienced in Uwajima. Be sure to add this to your Uwajima Castle visit.

Marugame Castle and Shikoku Castle Tours

In addition to Uwajima Castle, the castles in Shikoku with original surviving towers include Marugame Castle (Kagawa Prefecture), Kochi Castle (Kochi Prefecture), and Matsuyama Castle (Ehime Prefecture). With four original towers concentrated on the island, one-third of Japan’s twelve surviving towers are located in Shikoku — making it a true “treasure trove of castles” for castle enthusiasts.

Marugame Castle in Kagawa Prefecture, often mentioned alongside the renowned Inuyama Castle, is accessible from Uwajima Castle in approximately 3 to 4 hours by train. Its stone walls, boasting Japan’s tallest at approximately 60 meters, are awe-inspiring in scale and offer a different kind of impact from Uwajima Castle’s fan-shaped gradient. Completing all four original castle towers in Shikoku on a “Shikoku Original Tower Tour” has become a popular travel theme among castle fans. Trips to Okayama and Takahashi, home to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, are also possible, and the number of travelers using Uwajima Castle as a base for castle tours spanning both Shikoku and Honshu is growing. Traveling across Japan while discovering the charm of its castles has become a new trend among modern travel enthusiasts.

Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen

Approximately 100 kilometers to the north of Uwajima, about 1 hour and 30 minutes by limited express train, lies Matsuyama — the capital of Ehime Prefecture. Matsuyama is home to Matsuyama Castle, one of the twelve original castle towers, and Dogo Onsen, renowned as Japan’s oldest hot spring, making it a popular pairing with Uwajima for many tourists. Matsuyama Castle is a three-tiered fortress of Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and Honmaru perched atop 132-meter Mount Katsuyama, with the added convenience of ropeway access.

The Dogo Onsen Honkan partially completed its large-scale renovation in 2024, and visitors can once again enjoy the hot springs in the National Important Cultural Property building that retains its Meiji-era character. After bathing, strolling through Matsuyama’s streets and visiting sites associated with the haiku poet Masaoka Shiki is also recommended. Experiencing history in Uwajima and then immersing yourself in hot spring culture in Matsuyama — this route is a standard Ehime sightseeing itinerary featured in many guidebooks. To round off the trip, comparing the “tai-meshi” (sea bream rice) in both cities is a delightful experience.

Access Information

Uwajima Castle is conveniently accessible by public transportation, including trains and buses. Access by car is also available, with several parking lots in Uwajima City.

Here is a summary of the main ways to reach Uwajima Castle:

• By train: Alight at JR Uwajima Station on the Yosan Line, then walk approximately 15 minutes. The Limited Express “Uwakai” takes about 1 hour 30 minutes from Matsuyama. From the Okayama/Takamatsu direction, take the Limited Express “Shiokaze” to Matsuyama and transfer to the “Uwakai.”
• By bus: Uwajima Bus operates from Uwajima Station. Alight at the “Marunouchi” bus stop, then walk approximately 5 minutes to the castle hill entrance.
• By car: Approximately 10 minutes from the Uwajima-Kita IC on the Matsuyama Expressway. Near the castle hill, there is a free parking lot for castle visitors and several municipal parking lots.
• By highway bus: Highway buses from Matsuyama, Takamatsu, and Tokushima arrive at the Uwajima Bus Center, which is within walking distance of the station.

The walk from Uwajima Station to Uwajima Castle takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Exit the station, head south, cross National Route 56, and walk toward the castle hill to reach the Otemon ruins. The route is flat and easy to follow, with signage well maintained. There are multiple entrances to the castle hill, but the most standard is the “Tojogu” (castle ascent gate) starting from the Otemon ruins. The stone steps are continuous but well-maintained and easy to walk. The journey from the entrance to the tower takes approximately 15 minutes on foot.

From Matsuyama, the limited express train is the most convenient option, reaching Uwajima in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. From the Osaka area, the typical route is to take the Shinkansen to Okayama and then the Limited Express “Shiokaze” to Matsuyama. From Tokyo, flying to Matsuyama Airport is the most time-efficient option; from the airport, access JR Matsuyama Station via the city center and transfer to the Limited Express “Uwakai.”

Conclusion

Uwajima Castle is not only architecturally significant as one of Japan’s twelve original castle towers, but also possesses a dramatic narrative encompassing Todo Takatora’s “sea castle” design and the Date clan’s rich history. The elegant three-story tower, the stone walls with their fan-shaped gradient, the magnificent views of the Uwa Sea, and the Date clan legacy preserved in the castle town below — all of these combine to make Uwajima Castle a truly one-of-a-kind destination.

Uwajima Castle, where you can experience the beauty of Edo-period castle architecture up close while feeling the depth of history, is a place that deserves at least one visit. We encourage you to include Uwajima Castle in your Shikoku travel plans. The entire city of Uwajima is enriched by the Date clan’s history and the abundant natural beauty of the Uwa Sea, offering new discoveries with every visit.

If you are interested in castles and history, please check out our related articles as well. Our detailed articles on the history of Osaka Castle and Shuri Castle will deepen your understanding of Japanese castle culture when read alongside this article on Uwajima Castle. For accommodation in the castle town, please refer to our ryokan guide to find a distinguished inn for your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions