Takamatsu Castle, now the centrepiece of Tamamo Park, is one of only a handful of Japanese castles built right on the sea, its moats filled with seawater drawn directly from the Seto Inland Sea. Built by the ruling lords in the early Edo period, it was designed so that ships could sail right up to the castle, and today its wide moats are home to sea fish rather than the usual carp — you can even feed them or take a small boat on the moat. While the main keep no longer stands, handsome original turrets, gates and stone walls remain, set among the pines and lawns of the park by the harbour. Central and easily reached, it makes a relaxing stroll and a glimpse of a unique style of Japanese castle.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Takamatsu, Kagawa |
| Hours | ~Daylight (seasonal) |
| Admission | Small fee |
| Time needed | 45–60 minutes |
| Best time | Year-round; cherry blossom spring |
What to See
- A rare ‘sea castle’ with seawater moats.
- Sea fish in the moat you can feed or boat on.
- Original turrets, gates and stone walls.
- Pleasant harbour-side park of pines and lawns.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Ritsurin Garden in the city.
- Pair with Sanuki udon nearby.
- Read our Kagawa overview .
Getting There
- By train: beside JR Takamatsu and Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko.
- On foot: in the heart of Takamatsu by the harbour.
Tips
Note that the main keep is gone, so come for the unique seawater moats, original turrets and pleasant park rather than a towering castle. Try feeding the sea fish or the small moat boat if running, come in cherry-blossom season for the prettiest scene, and combine it easily with Ritsurin Garden and the harbour ferries to the art islands.
