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愛媛県
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Imabari Castle
愛媛県
A 1602 sea fortress by master castle builder Todo Takatora, with a triple moat fed directly by seawater in a structure unique among Japanese castles
Founded
1602
Type
Castle
Visited
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Access
About 10 min by bus from JR Imabari Station
Torimachi, Imabari, Ehime
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Info
Castle
Founded 1602
424 years
Overview
A sea fortress facing the Seto Inland Sea, built in 1602 by Todo Takatora. Its most distinctive feature is a triple moat filled directly with seawater, and the structure allowing boats to enter the castle grounds is exceptionally rare in Japan. The main tower, second and third bailey turrets, and gates have been reconstructed, restoring the castle's historic appearance. Known as the seat of the Iy…
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Origins
Imabari Castle was constructed in 1602 by Todo Takatora, a master castle builder renowned throughout Japan. The castle was designed as a sea fortress (umishiro) with a triple moat fed directly by seawater from the Seto Inland Sea, and its structure allowing ships to enter the castle grounds directly…
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Pilgrimage Courses
100 Famous Japanese Castles
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Related Figures
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Todo Takatora
Master Castle Builder Who Served Seven Lords
Age 46 at founding
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Todo Takatora built Imabari Castle in 1602 and established the foundations of the Iyo-Imabari domain. The triple moats filled directly with seawater and the strategic location commanding the Kurushima Strait represent the culmination of Takatora's castle-building philosophy. Although he was later transferred to Iga and Ise, this remains one of the castles where the skill of the 'master of castle construction' shines brightest.
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