Marugame Castle

Marugame Castle stands as a testament to feudal military architecture, famous for possessing the tallest stone walls of any castle in Japan and one of only twelve original wooden castle keeps remaining from the Edo period. Rising dramatically from the Marugame plain, the castle's tiered stone walls reach heights of over twenty meters, constructed with such precision that no mortar was needed to hold the massive granite blocks in place. The castle's stone walls demonstrate the pinnacle of Edo-period masonry techniques, with their distinctive curved surfaces designed to prevent scaling during attacks while maintaining structural integrity during earthquakes. The approach to the castle follows a zigzag path up steep slopes through multiple gates and defensive positions, revealing how feudal lords designed castles to maximize defensive advantages. The three-story wooden keep at the summit, though modest in size compared to grand castles like Himeji, represents authentic Edo-period construction with original wooden beams, floors, and structural elements preserved for over 400 years. Inside, exhibits display samurai armor, weapons, and historical documents detailing the castle's history under the Kyogoku clan. From the keep's top floor, panoramic views extend across Marugame city to the Seto Inland Sea and the distant mountains of Shikoku.