Relay Talk

Tamamo Park, Historic Site of Takamatsu Castle, has deep roots in Takamatsu City. One of the three great water castles of Japan, it was built about 430 years ago in an area called “Nohara” by Ikoma Chikamasa, one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s vassals. After the name of the area was changed to “Takamatsu,” the castle became known as “Takamatsu Castle.”

After the Ikoma clan, Matsudaira Yorishige, the grandchild of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, took up residence in the castle. Under the Matsudaira clan, which governed for 228 years over 11 generations, Takamatsu thrived as a castle town until the Meiji era (1868-1912).

Takamatsu City took up ownership of the ruins of Takamatsu Castle in 1955. The ruins were opened to the public as “Tamamo Park, Historic Site of Takamatsu Castle,” which today is a popular area for residents to relax and enjoy.

The castle’s symbolic “castle tower” was destroyed during the Meiji era, and although the castle ruins are modest in size, the tower was the largest in Shikoku in its day.

Sakuragomon Gate, a turret gate located at the Sannomaru entrance destroyed by a fire during an air raid in Takamatsu in 1945, was restored last summer after 77 years, and succeeded in attracting a number of visitors to the park.

The more you know about the history of Takamatsu Castle, the more fascinating it becomes.

I am so enamored with Takamatsu Castle that I have produced an original film about the park, called “REBIRTH: Building Takamatsu Castle!!” The film features a special appearance by Takamatsu’s Mayor OHNISHI Hideto.

Please see it if you have a chance!