Takamatsu Castle, Coastal castle in Takamatsu, Japan
Takamatsu Castle is a low-lying castle featuring stone walls, water moats, compound gates, and two surviving turrets spread across its grounds. The complex includes traditional buildings and landscaped areas that occupy the entire fortified zone.
Ikoma Chikamasa built this fortress in 1588 after gaining control of the Shikoku region to secure important sea routes. The location served strategic purposes for the power structure of that era.
Traditional tea ceremonies and flower arrangement practices take place in the tatami rooms of the park's buildings, where you can observe these classical arts being performed. This demonstrates how such refined cultural practices remain active parts of daily life.
The grounds are accessible from early morning and remain open through the evening for visitors to explore at their own pace. Comfortable shoes are recommended since most of the site is best seen on foot.
The fortress features saltwater moats fed directly from the Seto Inland Sea, a characteristic shared by only a handful of structures in Japan. This direct marine connection makes the water systems here notably different from typical castle designs.
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