Wakayama Castle

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: Wakayama-jo (Wakayama Castle) sits on the site where Ota-jo once stood.Ota-jo was the home of the "Saiga Ikki", a group of fanatic Buddhist warriors during Japan's feudal era,who were renown for their expertise with the Arquebus (an early muzzle-loaded firearm used in the 15th to 17th centuries)and for their expert gunsmiths and foundries.

In 1585,Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536 to 1598),a Daimyo or powerful territorial lord,layed siege on Ota-jo by building dams on three sides of the castle,focusing the rain-waters and diverting the river to ruin the castle,in what became known as the "Siege of Negoroji".As hunger set-in,the Samurai Monks and peasants inside Ota-jo surrendered,but fifty warrior-monks led a final charge against Hideyoshi's army,committing honourable suicide.Ota-jo was later rebuilt as a temple for the Shinshu branch of Japanese Buddhism.Wakayama-jo was then constructed on the same site,by Hideyoshi's brother,Toyotomi Hidenaga (1540 to 1591),a powerful warlord during Japan's Sengoku Period.

In 1600,Asano Yoshinaga (1576 to 1613),a Samurai and Feudal Lord,took-over the occupancy of the castle and soon ordered repair-work on the stone walls.

In 1615 the castle was attacked by forces loyal to Toyotomi Hideyoshi,who were trying to end the "Siege of Osaka" (a series of battles undertaken by the Tokugawa Shogunate against the Toyotomi Clan).

In 1619,Tokugawa Yorinobu (1602 to 1671),the tenth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu,oversaw the renovation and repair to the castle,as the result of the recent invasion.

In 1846 the main tower was destroyed by lightning and was rebuilt,after special permission was granted by the Shogunate,in 1850.

Twenty-one years later,in 1871,the castle was abandoned.

As a result of Allied bombing,during World War 11,the castle was destroyed,but was rebuilt in 1958 out of concrete and is open to the public as a symbol of Wakayama City.

Today the castle stands in Momijidani Teien (Momijidani Gardens)and is a place of scenic beauty, where many visitors come to view the 1,300 Cherry Blossom trees when their flowers bloom in Spring (April/May).From the observation-deck,on the upper-most floor,visitors will gain a sweeping-view of Wakayama City,while,inside the castle tower,are remnants of the Tokugawa Clan on display.

Tips: Access to Wakayama City would be best by train.Wherever in the Kansai Region you are staying,I suggest to go to the J.R.Osaka Umeda Station (the main J.R. station in Osaka).From there take the J.R.Hanwa Line to Wakayama City. I suggest you board the front four carriages,as the rear four carriages split and go to Kansai Airport.

From Wakayama station,it is a 20-minute walk to Wakayama Castle.

The castle is open from 9am to 4:30pm and admittance is 350-yen.

As always,when visiting a park,I recommend you take a picnic lunch and have something later,after your tour.There are plenty of food-outlets in Wakayama City.

As mentioned in the introduction,Spring would be a great time to visit the castle,but,in saying that,any-time of year is just as good.

Points of Interest

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J.R.Wakayama Station

Wherever you are coming from,if you are coming by a J.R.Train,purchase your ticket for Wakayama City at the station you board the train.Head for J.R.Osaka Umeda and board the Hanwa Line Train. I suggest you take the "Rapid" as the "Local" will take considerably longer.

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Ichi no Hashi (First Bridge)/Ote Mon (Ote Gate).

When the castle was originally constructed,the main gate to the castle was the Okuguchi-mon,located on the opposite ends of the castle grounds.However,when Asano Yoshinaga took control of the castle,in 1600,he made this the main entrance.
The style of gate is known as a "Koraimon".

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Ninomaru Remains.

You are now standing at the entrance of the Ninomaru Gardens.This was once the site of the Ni-no-Maru Palace,where the official work of the lord was conducted.Take note of the tiger statue as you enter.
The old name for the castle is "Fukko Castle",fukko meaning "Hidden Tiger".This name comes from the idea that if you look at the mountain,that the castle now stands on,it looks as if a tiger is crouching down.

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Ohashi Roka (Ohashi Bridge)

Once leaving Ninomaru Remains (P.O.I.-3)you arrive at the Ohashi Roka.
Ohashi Roka is a covered corridor connecting "Ni-no-Maru Palace and Nishi-no Maru Palace.
The bridge makes a spectacular sight with the castle in the background.

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Nishinomaru Gardens

Once crossing the Ohashi Roka and Moat,you enter the very-beautiful (regardless of what time of year it is)Nishinomaru Gardens.
Once the site of the Nishi-no-Maru Palace,where the lord's private quarters were,Nishinomaru Gardens is now a place of tranquillity and serenity.
Constructed in the early "Edo Period" (1603 to 1868),it's purpose was to blend-in with the natural landscape.
Take time,before moving-on,to visit the "Koshoan Tea Rooms",where you can enjoy some traditional Japanese tea and sweets.

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Nishinomaru Gardens to the castle

As you make your way from the Nishinomaru Gardens to the castle itself,you walk along the paths and many steps that surround the castle foundations.

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Wakayama-jo

After your ascent you have arrived at the castle.Before entering,may I suggest,you put-aside that the castle was destroyed and rebuilt in concrete,and try to imagine it in it's original condition.

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Interior and Museum in Wakayama-jo

Museums are always a great place to view relics of the past,and this exhibition is no exception.

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View from the Keep

The view from the top of any building is spectacular, but,the view from the Keep of Wakayama-jo,especially during Spring and Autumn,would be one of the best in the world.

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Wakayama Castle Zoo

The zoo is home to a large assortment of birds,as well as many other animals,both large and small.
Admittance is free,but the hours are limited.

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Okaguchi-mon (Okaguchi Gate)

Okaguchi-mon Gate is one of five different gates on the castle complex.
The gate exists in it's original form and is over 400-years old.
It is recognized as a "National Historical Asset".

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Wakayama-jo from a distance.

Before exiting the complex, and returning to Wakayama Station (or wherever),I invite you to take one last look of the castle through photos taken throughout the year.

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Wakayama-jo Moat.

I think the moat is one of the most spectacular parts of the castle's complex.
The excavation work,followed by the erection of the walls,must have taken many hours of manpower,taking into account that they didn't have the use of machines such as diggers,cranes and trucks.