Wakayama Castle, first built in 1585 in the city of Wakayama, was built for the feudal lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and remained in a under use my the Tokugawa Clan for several decades until it was destroyed during World War II. The current castle visible today was rebuilt shortly following the end of WWII, striking a near identical resemblance to it’s original iteration. The Castle is a popular tourist destination in the city of Wakayama, particularly among Japanese history & castle aficionados.
The castle is recognized as one of Japan’s top 3 flatland mountain castles, accompanying the likes of other great castles such as Himeji Castle(Hyogo Prefecture) and Matsuyama Castle. Surprisingly the Wakayama Castle had actually survived the Meiji Restoration in 1868 unlike countless other castles in Japan, and was later made into a national treasure 10 years before it was eventually destroyed during the war.
The Wakayama Castle grounds are just delightful, particularly in cherry blossom season – where the some 600 cherry trees begin to bloom and the locals make their yearly trip to go watch the blossoms dance in the wind. However, outside the cherry blossom season, the castle grounds are still one of the best in Japan, due to the uniqueness of design and aesthetic that is hard to come across at the mainstream castles. Wakayama Castle is usually pretty quiet and it’s rare to see huge swarms of tourists at a time, making it a perfect destination for those who like the explore the culture in a much more real sense.
Hours and Admission
- Hours: 9:00am - 5:30pm
- 410JPY
- Average Time Spent: 45 Minutes
- Official Website
Accessing Wakayama Castle
The nearest train station to Wakayama Castle is Nankai Wakayamashi Station, located about a 20 minutes away by walking. Alternatively, several bus routes pass near the Castle, which will cost approximately 230JPY and take a mere 6 minutes.
Where To Stay Near Wakayama Castle
More in Wakayama Prefecture
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