Uwajima Castle
宇和島城
One of only twelve surviving original castle keeps in Japan. The small three-story keep stands atop Shiroyama hill, overlooking Uwajima city and the Uwajima Sea.
Uwajima Castle was first built by the castle-building master Tōdō Takatora. The surviving keep was rebuilt by Date Munetoshi around 1671. It is one of Japan's twelve surviving original keeps and is designated an Important Cultural Property. The keep has only three stories, with a neat and balanced shape. Inside, castle models and historical materials are on display. From the castle entrance (Kamitate Gate or the Kōri-shi Nagaya Gate), it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to climb the stone steps and shaded paths to the top. Along the way you can see stone walls from the Tōdō period. From the summit honmaru, you can look out over Uwajima Port and the islands of the Uwajima Sea. Shiroyama Park is open all day. The keep is open about 9:00 to 17:00, until 16:00 in winter. Admission is about 200 yen. It is about a 15-minute walk from JR Uwajima Station.
Opening hours
Main keep 09:00–17:00 (until 16:00 Nov–Feb)
Nearby sights
- Date Museum
- Tenshaen Garden
- Ryukoin Temple
- Michi-no-Eki Uwajima Kisaiya Hiroba
- Warei Shrine
- Uwajima Bullfighting Arena
- Uwajima City Historical Museum
- Nametoko Gorge