The white-as-chalk castle tower rises above Mt. Torafusu which is full with green and has a stately three houses of the Tokugawa clan. Construction began on Wakayama Castle in the 13th year of the Tensho Period (1585) under the supervision of Hidenaga, the younger brother of Hideyoshi Toyotomi who subjugated Kishu.
Travel Blogger's Review
瓶顆(pink)
She is a travel blogger. She is a Taiwanese living in Tokyo.
In mid-October 2021 she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is here: yunique.cc
It is full of attractions such as gardens, zoos, and castle towers. The road up to the location is an uphill walk so remember to wear comfortable shoes. There is an easily accessible observatory deck just before arriving at the castle tower, where you can see the Wakayama Castle. Highly recommend taking a commemorative photo there here.
A ticket is required to enter the castle tower, from there you can access the observation deck on the top floor as well as the relics of the Tokugawa family. The view from the observation deck is very nice and it’s fun to go out and walk around the walls.
Wakayama City Night time Tour
*This tour is a monitor tour. Implementation is yet to be determined.
Night Time Menu
・”Wakayama Castle Night Walk” – a walk around the castle
・Light-up using bamboo lights
A guided tour by interpreter guides and audio commentary by “Wakayama City Tourism App”
Wakayama Castle (Castle tower)
Night Time Menu
・Watching the night view of Wakayama City from the castle tower
・Hospitality at the castle keep teahouse
※This tour is a monitored tour. Implementation is yet to be determined.
Yosuke Kashiwakura
Nature photographer.
Works mainly in advertising and magazines on the theme of people, landscapes, and animals living in nature.
This time, he actually experienced the night time menu in Wakayama City.
Nishinomaru Garden – Ninomaru Site
The walls of the castle were built up with tremendous energy, and the castle tower sits on top of them. If you compare it to nature, it looks like a famous rock peak. The Wakayama Castle in front of me is neat and unshakable in every way. As a nature photographer, I found that the Wakayama Castle was an inspiring subject.
Castle tower
For more than 400 years since it was built, Wakayama Castle has been at the center of people’s lives. In the castle town, samurai and townspeople lived in plots organized around the castle. If you look at a map of the time, you can imagine the beautiful cityscape. You can also see the castle from anywhere when you walk around Wakayama City. Even if the feudal lords disappeared, Wakayama Castle would have remained there as a symbol of the land.
※This tour is a monitored tour. Implementation is yet to be determined.
Rin
She is a travel blogger and YouTuber from Taiwan and lives in Kyoto. She's went to Wakayama City, on September 18th to 19th 2020.
Her blog is "台湾.京都".
https://www.taiwan.kyoto/
The one on the left is from the Otenshu-chaya a souvenir shop near the Wakayama castle, with the printing of Torafushi Castle’s name on it. Wakayama Castle is located at the Torafushi Mountain, so it is also known as Torafushi Castle.
The one on the right is a newly released postcard that has been available since April 1st, 2020. You can buy it at the ticket counter. Two versions are available, the normal edition and the Autumn limited edition. I bought the limited edition one.
You can enjoy the unique view from the Tenshu-kaku.
In the castle, It displays a variety of historical items.
Also, I would like to introduce these friendly Ninjas. You’ll spot them everywhere in the Wakayama castle. If you have any trouble, talk to these ninjas who loved to help you with taking photos or answering questions.
In-depth traveller, columnist and host of a travel program, integrating literary, historical and philosophical art into travel writing. Selected as a pro-writer, student favorite writer, my favorite star travel expert, international travel exhibition ambassador, Japan and South Korea and other countries travel ambassadors.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 20th to 22nd February in 2020.
His blog is "終生遊學".
https://jamestrip.com/
The first year of Reiwa era in Wakayama City. Spring flowers are beautifully colored in the worm sunny weather.
Even though the last Samurai died out 150 years ago, at the time of Meiji Restoration.
Today as one of the Tokugawa’s family percepts says “come back for revenge”. They are coming back to take their Wakayama castle back!
#mysecretWakayama
Note:
Wakayama Castle is one of the castles belong to Tokugawa Gosanke, three privileged branches of Tokugawa family, listed in Japan’s 100 Best Castles, which is located on the mountain kept intact. In the entrance of it, you can borrow Japanese clothes, such as Kimono and Yukata as well as Samurai armor that is worth 500,000 yen made carefully by hand with more than 10 different materials including iron plates, iron wires and brocades. Wearing this can draw people’s great attention.
He is a travel blogger who is living in Taiwan. The blog mainly shares the travel experience of Asian countries. The "homemade travel map" is the biggest feature of the blog to attract readers. The travel map has been downloaded by more than 300,000 people so far. Walking will leave "footprints", because only with your feet can you experience each story and every journey more deeply.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 8th to 10th January in 2020.
His blog is "果子的腳印 Ryan's footprint".
http://ryanyang0725.pixnet.net/blog
The wind and rain during the 300 years of the construction of the castle
I boarded the castle tower and looked down
Serenity and serenity at the moment
Seems so ordinary but precious
Past glory,
Are kept here today
In the warm winter of January, Wakayama Castle (also known as Fuhu Castle) with a history of nearly five centuries stands on Hufu Mountain. The history of Japan’s top 100 famous cities, Wakayama Castle, is profound. It was originally built by his younger brother and then is 桑山重晴、淺野幸長、and 德川賴宣. Historically, it has been ranked as one of the three Tokugawa Imperial families(德川御三家) with 水戶 and 尾張. From the way of the construction, it is known as Sandan Vertical Hirayama Castle, same as Matsuyama Castle and Himeji Castle in Japan.
The entire city occupies a large area.In addition to retaining the old Japanese garden, the national shrine, and the historical exhibition hall in the castle tower, some parts have been converted into zoos and parks, allowing visitors to spend a morning stroll in this quiet and historical place. This article will introduce 7 things you can’t miss when you come to Wakayama Castle.
This article will be introduced in the following order, and readers can pick the ones that interest them.
the mysterious mark on the stone wall (& entertain ninja)
2. Wakayama Castle’s continuous vertical Hirayama style
3. History Exhibition Hall
4. the tower observation deck
5. Talking Vending machines in souvenir shops
6. Viewing platform
7.Wakayama Castle bridge
8. Nishinomaru Garden (Red Leaf Creek Garden)
9. Wakayama Prefecture Hokoku Shrine
Although Wakayama Castle is located in the center of the city, it takes about 20 minutes to walk from Wakayama City Station, and about 30 minutes to Wakayama Station. Even if adding the waiting time for buses and getting on and off the station basically takes about the same amount of time, friends or family members with limited mobility are still recommended to use the public transportation to and from Wakayama Castle. Passengers who choose to take a bus from Wakayama Station, the stop to get off is the “Otemon Gate”(大手門) of Wakayama Castle. Nearby is the Central Post Office. Here you can buy some Wakayama-only commemorative postcards!
the mysterious mark on the stone wall (& entertain ninja)
I was arranged for Koyasan in the afternoon on the day of visiting Wakayama Castle, so I rented a car to come. After parking the car and going up, I passed through a towering stone wall. At that time, the famous castle-builder 藤堂高虎 and the workers were very powerful. They could build stones into walls and preserve them for hundreds of years. Looking closely at the stones on the stone wall, you can find some unknown icons. After official investigation and statistics, it was confirmed that there are about 140 patterns. However, the function is not yet conclusive.
When walking upwards, it is very likely that you will encounter “Entertaining Ninjas” that appear from time to time. They will hide themselves with a cloth close to the stone wall. When tourists need help, they will suddenly appeared. I heard that the most common thing is to help push a stroller or luggage to go up castle, and sometimes there even provided performances. Compared to the common staff, Wakayama Castle is very creative and successful.
There is no charge for admission to the entire city. Only Tianshou Pavilion needs to pay to enter the venue. Admission is 410 yen for adults and 200 yen for children (elementary and elementary school students).
The Tianshou Pavilion we are seeing now is the third generation of reconstruction, and has experienced a lightning strike and air strikes. However, from the appearance, we can only see the main 天守, and only by buying tickets can we see the 主副天守 and the connected “多聞櫓”
Walking up the stone steps, you will first see the 二之門
You will enter the Japanese garden through 二之門, and the white stone at the entrance will be paved with the shape of heart.
In addition to a few Kishu plums in the courtyard, you can also watch the white wall blue tiles shining in the sun with a calm and restrained Japanese beauty at a close distance.
Because it is a continuous vertical Hirayama castle, there is no direct door to the main castle tower. You need to pass through the “楠門” before you can enter.
3. History Exhibition Hall
As usual in the castle, it is a precious data exhibition hall, which displays many related artifacts of the Kishu Tokugawa family(紀州德川家). If you visit it carefully, it will take about 1 hour.
Each of the exhibits here will have almost four other languages besides Japanese, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Korean, and English, so that visitors who like history can have a deeper understanding.
4. the tower observation deck
Walk along the display of the History Museum, and soon you will reach the observation deck of the castle tower. The top of Fuhu Mountain, with a 360-degree field of vision, is a great place to enjoy the entire Wakayama city.
Although the aisle space is not large, standing here has a feeling of being a king. At the same time, the eaves will be seen together in the scenery, which is a also a feature here.
5. Talking Vending machines in souvenir shops
After visiting the castle tower, come to the souvenir shop and order a warm glass of sweet wine to rest! Here, in addition to buying the limited Wakayama Castle postcards, you can also find one of the vending machines that will talk to you! It’s very interesting. If you are hungry, soba or light dishes are also available here.
6. Viewing platform
If you want to take the most complete picture of Wakayama Castle, or sit on the bench with your beloved, and spend this leisurely morning, come to this new viewing platform that was built in 2017! From here, you can see the majesty of the whole city.
The scenery is different throughout the year. The most famous one is the cherry blossom season in spring. Imagine the pink cherry in full bloom with the handsome castle, that would be so wonderful!
I'm a 37 years old French photographer based in Paris and native of Brittany.
Passion for photography has grown steadily when I was traveling all around the world trying to capture every unforgettable experience I met on my way with a view to collect and share them.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 26th to 28th November in 2018.
https://www.loiclagarde.com
Wakayama Castle is surrounded by Cherry Blossom end of March, beginning of April (usually last week of March and first week of April). This is the perfect castle to enjoy cherry blossom without the crowd (like in Osaka for example).
I'm a 37 years old French photographer based in Paris and native of Brittany.
Passion for photography has grown steadily when I was traveling all around the world trying to capture every unforgettable experience I met on my way with a view to collect and share them.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 26th to 28th November in 2018.
Bino is a part-time wanderer and a Singapore travel blogger. In his website, he shares with all of you his top travel tips. Along the way, he also provides travel guides to compelling destinations, recommendations on awesome food to try and impressive hotels to stay.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 29 June to 1st July in 2018.
His blog is "I WANDER".
https://iwandered.net/
Lording over the city center, Wakayama Castle (Admission: 400 Yen) originates from the 16th century and has been ransacked and destroyed several times – the most recent during World War 2. The historic site has since been rebuilt and now houses a number of other attractions within its grounds including the Momijidani Garden and the Ohashirouka Bridge.
Jason has masters in gastronomic tourism from Le Cordon Bleu.
In the beginning of August, 2017, he took a trip to Wakayama City.
His blog is “Sake Tours”. http://www.saketours.com/
You can’t go to Wakayama and not visit the castle. Built in 1585 under the instructions of the powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi the castle looks out over all of Wakayama city. Old swords, spears and armour from the years of civil war are on display inside the castle and the view from the top of the main tower is pretty impressive.
She is Travel blogger, social media consultant & author in London, UK.
In the beginning of November , 2017, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is “ The Travel Hack ”.
http://thetravelhack.com/
Full and satisfied, we continued our day of exploring. The next stop? Wakayama Castle. Commissioned by Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1585, this historic castle is now surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens and public parks (including a zoo).
At this time of year, the area is completely aflame with reds and oranges and yellows – the autumn leaves are quite spectacular and make the castle look even more like the image you conjure up when someone mentions Japan!
We spent a couple of hours strolling around the grounds, taking in the natural beauty, the dramatic castle atop a steep hill, the Ohashi Roka bridge that provides a perfect photo opportunity, and exploring the castle itself. The view from the top is well worth the short climb, and the displays of old Japanese warriors’ armour, letters and weapons is fascinating.
She is Freelance writer.
In the beginning of November , 2017, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is “ WANDERLUCE ”.
https://wanderluce.com/
First up was a wander around the epic Wakayama Castle. Call me ignorant but I’d never imagined Japan to have such autumnal vibes, so I was a wee bit blown away when I caught sight of the shock of Japanese maple leaves. The cherry reds, browns and golden hues were a perfect backdrop to such an ornate castle.
She is travel blogger. She is good at travel blogger.
In the beginning of November , 2017, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is “ She Gets Around ”.
https://shegetsaround.co.uk/
Wakayama Castle built in 1585 sits on a hill overlooking the city of Wakayama, surrounded by a traditional Japanese garden, a zoo and a variety of different tall stone walls. We visited just as the leaves were turning to the bright oranges, yellows and reds of Autumn and couldn’t stop snapping away photos of the contrasting colours.
She is blogger and journalist.
In the beginning of March, 2017, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is “Le Blog de Sarah”. http://www.leblogdesarah.com/
L’attraction la plus populaire à visiter à Wakayama c’est son château. Situé sur une colline en plein milieu de la ville, il a été, comme la plupart des châteaux japonais, plusieurs fois détruit et reconstruit. L’édifice actuel date de 1958. L’intérieur est transformé en musée avec des objets d’époque et des armures de samouraï. Il faut monter tout en haut pour profiter d’une vue magnifique sur Wakayama.
Vue sur le château côté sud avec les torii et côté nord avec le pont OhashirokaVue sur le château de Wakayama depuis la porte Okaguchi-monLe château de Wakayama
She is travel blogger based in Sydney.
In the beginning of March, 2017, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is "GIRL TWEETS WORLD". http://www.girltweetsworld.com/
The gleaming white Wakayama Castle has sat proudly in the centre of downtown Wakayama since the 1500s. Peaceful gardens and regal gates, which contrast starkly with the present day buildings, surround the three-tiered castle tower.
Wakayama Castle was established in 1585Enjoy 360 degree views of Wakayama if you dare to step out onto the platform!The castle sits in the heart of downtown Wakayama
She is travel blogger. She is good at Solo Travel.
In the beginning of November , 2017, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is “ Voyages et Vagabondages ”.
https://voyagesetvagabondages.com/
En voyage, et plus particulièrement au Japon, j’adore me promener au hasard des rues d’une ville, laissant la ville me surprendre et mes pas me guider vers de nouvelles découvertes. C’est un excellent moyen d’apprendre à connaître une ville, de la ressentir et de la vivre. Les rues de Wakayama sont très calmes tout au long de la journée et il est certain que j’étais la seule touriste occidentale à se balader sous le ciel gris du mois de décembre.
She is a travel blogger and freelance writer.
In the beginning of December,2016,she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is “Emily Luxton Travels”. http://emilyluxton.co.uk/
Inside the castle is an interesting museum, and some amazing views of the city – but the real highlights for me were the castle grounds, which are stunning, and the architecture of the castle itself. One of the prettiest sites in Wakayama!
She is a travel blogger. She is good at Solo Adventure Travel.
In the beginning of October, 2016, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
Her blog is "My Life's A Movie". http://mylifesamovie.com/
The Wakayama Castle. It’s the staple icon of the entire area. You really can’t miss it once you get there, and it may be hard not to stare at it for a while.
