Tokushima Castle Ruins

One of the Top 100 Castles in Japan

Takako Sakamoto May 09, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Statue of the first lord of the Tokushima Han, Hachisuka Iemasa. With the setting sun in the backdrop, it looks as though he still reigns in Tokushima</p>

<p>Impressive big tree and statue of Hachisuka Iemasa, the first lord of Tokushima</p>

<p>There are three paths to reach the Castle Keep Ruins, which is on top of a hill; this is one of them, the most gradual of the three</p>

<p>Stone wall along the path leading up to the Castle Keep Ruins</p>

<p>This is one of three paths leading to the top of the hill. This one is the steepest</p>

<p>Entrance of the Tokushima Castle Front Palace Garden. Unfortunately, we came too late and it was already closed. This is one of the Top 100 Gardens in Japan, and the entrance fee is only 50 yen/adult</p>

<p>Colorful stone walls and the castle moat. Most of these colorful stones were taken out from Mt. Bizan in Tokushima city</p>

<p>Gejo Bridge and a pine tree. Look closely at the colorful stones on the wall</p>

<p>Eagle Gate. It was burnt down during the World War II, then rebuilt in 1989</p>

<p>Willow tree and the deep green moat</p>

<p>Sukiya Bridge seen from another angle</p>

I went to Tokushima during the Golden Week holidays and revisited some places that I used to go to as a child, but never really saw closely. Tokushima Castle is one of them. Although I picnicked, drew some pictures unwillingly, or skipped classes and hid in the woods, etc. a long time ago, I never knew the stone walls were so colorful, or that there was a statue of the first lord of the Tokushima Han, Hachisuka Iemasa in the center of the park, etc.. This castle is designated as a national historical site, and is also one of the Top 100 Castles in Japan, and the garden is one of the Top 100 Gardens. A 10-minute walk away from JR Tokushima Station, you willl surely enjoy visiting the castle if you happen to be in Tokushima!

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...