The castle features the smallest surviving original wooden keep in Japan, measuring only about 15 meters in height.
The stone walls were constructed over a period of 30 years during the early 17th century.
The park surrounding the castle is home to approximately 1,000 cherry blossom trees.
The castle grounds contain a stone monument dedicated to the haiku poet Masaoka Shiki.
The original wooden keep was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1950.
The name 'Marugame' is said to have originated from the rounded shape of the hill, which resembles a turtle.
Marugame Castle is one of Japan's twelve remaining original wooden castle keeps, built in the early Edo period. The site is characterized by its exceptionally tall, multi-tiered stone walls, known as Otemon, which reach heights of up to 60 meters. The main keep is a three-story, three-layered structure that escaped destruction during the Meiji-era abolishment decrees. The castle grounds are situated on a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. It is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. The fortress design utilizes a curved 'fan-slope' stone wall construction technique known as oogi-no-kobai to prevent collapse. Visitors access the keep via a steep stone-paved path that requires a significant incline walk.
From the base of the Otemon Gate looking upward to capture the full scale of the curved stone walls.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes due to the steep, uneven stone incline.
Carry water, as there are limited facilities once you reach the uppermost levels of the stone walls.
Visit during the early spring if you wish to see the extensive cherry blossoms in bloom.
Do not attempt the climb in formal footwear or high heels, as the path is steep and paved with irregular stones.
Maintain silence inside the wooden keep; remove footwear before entering the internal exhibition areas.
