Takamatsu Castle was abandoned in 1869. Almost all castle buildings were destroyed in 1872.

The ruins of Takamatsu Castles are now arranged as "Tamamo" Park. From Takamatsu Station, you will see the west entrance of "Tamamo" Park.

Takamatsu Castle was originally built on the seashore. The north end of Takamatsu Castle was "Seto Inland Sea". Now, a street was built to the north end of "Tamamo" park by reclaiming from the sea. If you walk on the street to the east, you will see "Tsukimi" Turret.

"Tsukimi" Turret is the original castle building, built in 1676. "Watari" Turret and "Mizunote-Mon" Gate are connected to "Tsukimi" Turret. These castle buildings are designated important properties of Japan.

During the Edo Age, feudal lords of all domains in Japan had to stay in Edo (current Tokyo) every other year. The feudal lords of Takamatsu Castle went to Edo by boat, they went in and out through "Mizunote-Mon" Gate. "Tsukimi" Turret was used as a watch tower to see off and to watch the arrival of the feudal lords.

If you walk around "Tamamo" Park to the south-west corner, you will see "Ushitora" Turret. "Ushitora" Turret is designated as an important property of Japan.

"Ushitora" Turret is also an original castle building from the Edo Age. The turret was originally located to the north-east corner of Takamatsu Castle. In 1967, it was removed to the site of "Taiko" Turret, where is the current location, to the south-east corner of Takamatsu Castle.

The east entrance is located near "Ushitora" Turret. You will cross Asahi Bridge over the middle moat to "Tamamo" Garden, through Asahi-Mon" Gate.

After going through the "Asahi-Mon" Gate, you will see "Ushitora" Turret from the inside of Takamatsu Castle. In June, Azalea flowers are beautiful.

To the west (on your left), you will see the foundation of the Main Castle Tower of Takamatsu Castle beyond the inner moat. The inner moat and the middle moat are connected to the sea. Sea bream fishes and other saltwater fishes can be seen in these moats.

You will approach to the site of "Sakura-Gomon" Gate. "Sakura-Gomon" Gate remained after the Edo Age, but it was broken by bombing during World War II.

After passing through "Sakura-Gomon" Gate, you are in the third bailey. "Hiunkaku" is located in the third bailey. "Hiunkaku" was originally built in the Edo Age as a palace building. Unfortunately, the original "Hiunkaku" was broken after the Edo Age was ended. The current "Hiunkaku" was built in 1917, as the second house of MATSUDAIRA Family.

The original "Hiunkaku" was twice the size of the current existing "Hiunkaku". The current existing "Hiunkaku" was built using the combination of the traditional Japanese and the western architecture technologies. Because of this reason, "Hiunkaku" is designated as an important property of Japan.

To the west from the third bailey, you will see "Sayabashi" bridge.

"Sayabashi" Bridge is a covered bridge and connects between the main and the second baileys. When I visited in July 2011, the bridge was also under repairment and closed.

To the west of the second baily, you will find the west entrance/exit. Just next to the south, Takamatsu-Chikuko Station is located.

Takamatsu-Chikuko Station is located in the ruins of Takamatsu Castle. You will also see "Sayabashi" Bridge and the foundation of the Main Castle Tower from the station.

How to get there
From Tokyo, take a Tokaido Shinkansen, "Nozomi" or a "Hikari" for Japan Rail Pass travelers to Okayama. Take a raid train "Marine Liner" to Takamatsu. Or, take the Limited Express "Sunrise Seto" from Tokyo to Takamatsu. "Tamamo" Park is located in front of Takamatsu Station.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Yakuriji Temple
Yashima
Ritsurin Garden
Site of Sanuki-Kokubunji
Ruins of Marugame Castle