Sawada Castle

Sawada Castle is a fortified site on Sado Island with stone foundations and earthen walls built in the traditional hiraijirō style of Japanese castles. The ruins spread across flat terrain and reveal the basic layout of the former defensive structure.

Construction began in 1602 under Tokugawa Shogunate orders and ended in 1611. During this period the site served as a regional administrative center under centralized government control.

The ruins show how Japanese castle builders of that era used stone foundations and earthen walls to create defensive structures. These techniques were common for administrative and protective sites across the island.

The site can be reached by taking a ferry to Ryotsu Port on Sado Island, then following the northern coastal road. The ruins are accessible and relatively straightforward to explore on foot.

The name 'Submerged Castle' refers to something about its landscape position rather than being literally underwater. This unusual name remains a puzzle that intrigues visitors interested in the site's local history.

Location: Sado

GPS coordinates: 37.97136,138.37250

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:04