Shikoku

Castles and historic sites in Shikoku

Shikoku’s historical landscape is defined by its well-preserved feudal architecture and ancient pathways. This selection features original mountain-top fortresses like Kōchi and Matsuyama Castles, alongside medieval ruins such as Yuzuki Castle. Beyond military structures, the list includes sections of the Shikoku Pilgrimage route and unique geological monuments, offering a comprehensive look at the region's cultural development from the Sengoku period through the Edo era.

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Kōchi Castle

Kōchi Castle is a castle located in Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ozu Castle

Ōzu Castle, also known as Jizōgatake Castle, is a castle located in Ōzu, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Shiro4873 / CC BY 3.0

Matsuyama Castle

One of Japan's twelve original castles, this hilltop fortress was constructed in 1603. The complex features a rare linked-style keep and 21 structures designated as Important Cultural Properties, accessible via ropeway or chairlift.

土佐遍路道青龍寺道

A National Historic Site comprising a section of the 1,200-kilometer Shikoku Pilgrimage. This path leads to Shoryu-ji, the 36th temple on the 88-temple circuit, and has been used by pilgrims for centuries.

行川城址

The site of a former mountain fortress in Kochi, preserving medieval earthworks and historical foundations that offer insight into local defensive architecture.

Yuzuki Castle

Located in Dogo Park, these ruins mark the former residence of the Kono clan. The site features reconstructed samurai dwellings, moats, and earthworks dating from the 14th to 16th centuries.

Seki-jō Castle Ruins

Archaeological remains of a Sengoku-period mountain castle. The site preserves stone foundations and defensive trenches overlooking the Uwa Sea.

宍喰浦の化石漣痕

A National Natural Monument featuring fossilized ripple marks formed approximately 40 million years ago. These rare geological patterns are preserved on a massive, near-vertical sandstone wall.