Hiwasa Castle
Hiwasa Castle: read a guide to Hiwasa Castle in the small town of Hiwasa in Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku.
Hiwasa Castle 日和佐城
Hiwasa Castle is a small castle in the town of Hiwasa (now Minami) in Tokushima Prefecture on the south east coast of Shikoku. Hiwasa is a mountain castle (yamashiro) and is located on the top of a small forested hill.
Hiwasa Castle History
The original Hiwasa Castle dates from the late 16th century but historical records are few and far between regarding the castle's exact history and little of the earlier castle remains. The castle was built by the Hachisuka clan, the feudal lords of Edo Period (1603-1867) Tokushima.
The tower of Hiwasa Castle seen today is a modern reconstruction, completed in 1978.
Hiwasa is home to Yakuoji Temple, number 23 on the pilgrimage of the 88 Sacred Temples on Shikoku. Yakuoji Temple dates from the 9th century and is a very popular temple. The town of Hiwasa has a lovely beach, Ohama Beach, known for its sea turtles, who come to lay their eggs between May and August and a picturesque fishing harbor. The Sea Turtle Museum (Tel: 0884 77 1110) has outdoor and indoor tanks with live turtles and explains the reproduction cycles of the various sea turtles that visit the area.
Hiwasa Castle has wonderful views of Hiwasa town below
Hiwasa Castle Access
Hiwasa Castle is a 20 minute walk from JR Hiwasa Station on the Mugi Line. Limited Express trains take 55 minutes from Tokushima, local trains crawl there in 1 hour, 45 minutes. Hiwasa Castle is located on top of a 65m high hill called Shiroyama (Castle Hill). The hill is home to monkeys and snakes.
Hiwasa Castle
Minami-cho
Kaifu-gun
Tel: 0884 77 1875 (Hiwasa Tourist Office)
Admission: Free
Google map of Hiwasa Castle
