Imabari Castle
This was the second of three castles visited on our trip to Shikoku. The view of the Seto inland sea and Kurushima Bridges is fantastic. The guys who ran the castle were really nice. They even have a real samurai helmet in the back they'll let you wear. Just ask. You'll be surprised how heavy it is.
History
For his services during the Battle of Sekigahara Takatora Todo was awarded this large parcel of land on the Iyo peninsula. Takatora began construction of the castle in 1602 and moved here from his castle at Uwajima in 1608 when the palace was completed. That same year he was restationed at Tsu in Ise Prefecture. His adopted son, Takayoshi, took oover Imabari.
In 1635, Takatora's adopted son Takayoshi was reassigned and Sadafusa Matsudaira moved in. Imabari Castle was then controlled by the Matsudaira until the Meiji Restoration. The location of Imabari Castle is very important as a strategic militarily point from which to control traffic through the Seto Sea.
The main keep of Imabari Castle was disassembled in 1610 and carried to Osaka. It was originally supposed to become the main keep of Igaueno Castle but was instead rebuilt as the main keep of Kameyama Castle.
The scaffolding you see on some of the pictures is to there to repair damage suffered in an earthquake.
Field Notes
This was the second of three castles visited on our trip to Shikoku. The view of the Seto inland sea and Kurushima Bridges is fantastic. The guys who ran the castle were really nice. They even have a real samurai helmet in the back they'll let you wear. Just ask. You'll be surprised how heavy it is.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Imabari Castle |
| Japanese Name | 今治城 |
| Alternate Names | Fukiage-jo |
| Founder | Takatora Todo |
| Year Founded | 1604 |
| Castle Type | Flatland |
| Castle Condition | Reconstructed main keep |
| Designations | Top 100 Castles |
| Historical Period | Edo Period |
| Main Keep Structure | 5 levels, 6 floors |
| Year Reconstructed | 1980 |
| Features | main keep, gates, turrets, water moats, stone walls, walls |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Imabari Station, 10 minutes by bus |
| Hours | |
| Time Required | |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Imabari, Ehime Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.06305, 133.00667 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2001 |
| Contributor | Eric |
| Admin Year Visited | 2001 |
| Admin Visits | October 19, 2001 |
