Takamatsu Castle in Japan

Takamatsu Castle is located in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture. Records date Takamatsu castle to 16th century during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The period lasted a little over decades and was marked by peace and order in contrast to the chaotic years behind it. The castle has a natural moat of marshy land and unlike other castles which are built on mountain tops, Takamatsu Castle is build on a sea level.

Takamatsu Castle was built by Mimura family and the charge of it was handed over to their lieges, the Ishikawa family. The powerful Mori clan besieged on the castle and captured it without much ado. The Mori passed the castle to their vassal Shimizu Muneharu.

In 1582, Toyotomi Hideyoshi took control over the castle and following his decline, the ownership was passed on to the Hanabusa family.

In the Edo period, when the Takamatsu Castle was at the pinnacle of its glory, it had 5 storied donjon and 20 yagura. The castle is surrounded by water on three sides; it sucks up water from the sea to maintain the water level for the moat.

Today only a foundation of the erstwhile grand 5 storey tower remains. There is a small shrine on the top of the foundation. There is a turret in the vicinity called the Tsukimi Yagura which was made for moon watching.

How to Reach

Takamatsu lies in the island of Shikoku in Japan. The island is connected to the mainland Honshu through - The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and the Seto-Ohashi Bridge.

Air

Japan's major airlines JAL and ANA offer regular flights to Takamatsu. JAL's flights to Takamatsu operate from Tokyo Haneda Airport, Kagoshima Airport and Sendai Airport. ANA flights operate from Tokyo Haneda and from Sapporo Chitose Airport.

By Train

Trains run regularly between Honshu and Takamatsu, the most frequent one being Marine Liner.

By Bus

Dream Takamatsu bus service, owned by JR Bus provides overnight bus service from Tokyo Station to Takamatsu station. The bus takes the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and makes a brief halt at Shinjuku.

Where to Stay

The hotels located near the Takamatsu Castle are:
- Ana Hotel Clement Takamatsu
- Hotel Kawaroku
- RIHGA Hotel Zest Takamatsu
- Parkside Hotel Takamatsu
- Royal Park Hotel Annex

For those who find that their hunger for information on Castles in Japan has only been abetted by the above article, they may do themselves good by visiting Takamatsu Castle in Japan and many others listed on the website.

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