Overview of Tokushima Castle
Tokushima Castle occupied a strategic position near the mouth of the Yoshino River, where the surrounding waterways and natural terrain helped shape its defenses. The castle was a hirayamajiro, or hill-and-plain castle, combining fortifications on Mount Shiroyama with a larger complex on the lower ground.
Mount Shiroyama rises approximately 61 meters above sea level. The castle’s layout used a series of connected baileys, or fortified enclosures, arranged along the hill and across the adjoining plain. This design allowed the castle to take advantage of both the elevated terrain and the surrounding landscape.
The History of Tokushima Castle
Early History and the Medieval Period
The history of the area stretches back to the medieval period. During the Kamakura period, the Kōno clan, which held land-stewardship rights in Iyo Province, controlled the region. In 1385, Hosokawa Yoriyuki defeated forces associated with the Southern Court in the area and established a small fortification on the hill where Tokushima Castle would later stand.
The hill was called Izan, a name associated with the area’s scenic beauty. Its elevated position and views over the surrounding landscape made it a suitable location for a defensive stronghold.
Construction under the Hachisuka Clan
During the Sengoku period, the age of civil war, control of Awa Province changed hands several times as competing warlords struggled for power. In 1582, Chōsokabe Motochika of Tosa Province brought Awa under his control. However, in 1585, Toyotomi Hideyoshi launched his campaign to bring Shikoku under his authority and awarded Awa Province to Hachisuka Iemasa.
Hachisuka Iemasa chose Tokushima Castle as his base and developed it into a major fortified residence. The castle was completed in its principal form in 1586, approximately a year and a half after he received the province. It subsequently served as the political and administrative center of the Tokushima Domain throughout the Edo period, under the rule of the Hachisuka family.
The End of the Castle and the Creation of Tokushima Central Park
In 1873, Japan’s Meiji government issued the Castle Abolition Order, leading to the dismantling of Tokushima Castle. By 1875, most of its buildings had been removed. The Washi-no-Mon Gate was the only major structure to survive the dismantling, although it was later destroyed during an air raid in 1945.
In 1905, the former castle grounds were developed into Tokushima Park, now known as Tokushima Central Park, to commemorate a military victory. The park opened to the general public in 1910, allowing the former castle site to become a place for recreation as well as historical remembrance.
Omote Goten Garden: A Historic Japanese Garden
One of the most important attractions at the castle site is Omote Goten Garden, a traditional Japanese garden that preserves the refined landscaping techniques of the Edo period. It was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1941 and remains a highlight for visitors interested in Japanese garden design.
The garden features carefully arranged stones and a landscape that combines different styles of Japanese garden composition. Many of the stones were brought from Mount Bizan, Naruto, and Awaji Island. Their varied colors and natural patterns create distinctive contrasts throughout the garden, reflecting the importance of stone arrangement in traditional Japanese landscaping.
A visit to the garden offers a quieter experience than walking through the former fortifications. It is an opportunity to appreciate the aesthetic sensibilities of the feudal period and imagine the surroundings enjoyed by the castle’s former lords and their guests.
The Castle’s Distinctive Stone Walls
The stone walls are among the most visible surviving features of Tokushima Castle. Many were built using Sambagawa metamorphic rock quarried from Mount Bizan. This stone includes varieties known locally as aoishi, or blue stone, as well as red-veined schist and quartz schist. Their natural colors and intricate patterns give the walls a distinctive appearance.
Much of the stonework in the hilltop fortifications remains, although sections of the lower castle complex have disappeared. These surviving walls provide valuable evidence of the castle’s construction methods and the way its builders adapted the defenses to the natural terrain.
Washi-no-Mon Gate
Washi-no-Mon was once one of the principal entrances to Tokushima Castle and became one of its best-known symbols. It was the only major castle building to remain after the dismantling of the castle in the 1870s. However, it was destroyed during the Tokushima air raid in 1945.
The gate was reconstructed in 1989 and now stands as a reminder of the castle’s former appearance. Located within Tokushima Central Park, it is a popular landmark for visitors exploring the historic grounds.
Nishi-no-Maru and the Former Garden Grounds
Nishi-no-Maru, or the Western Enclosure, was originally constructed to strengthen the castle’s defenses against attacks from the west. As Japan entered a more peaceful period under the Tokugawa shogunate, its military role diminished, and the area was later used as a residence for a retired lord of the domain.
Today, parts of the former enclosure are occupied by facilities including Uchimachi Elementary School and a municipal tennis court. The changing use of the land illustrates how the former castle grounds have evolved alongside the city.
Another notable area was Ohanabatake, or the Flower Garden. Historical accounts describe it as an extensive garden of exceptional beauty, reportedly comparable to Okayama’s celebrated Kōrakuen Garden. Although the original landscape no longer survives in its former form, its reputation reflects the importance of garden culture at the castle.
The Castle Keep and Defensive Towers
The Former Castle Keep
Tokushima Castle originally had a main keep, which was built during the castle’s early development. However, it was dismantled during the Genna era, between 1615 and 1624. In its place, a three-story tower known as the Gosankai Yagura was built in the Eastern Second Enclosure and served as a substitute for the keep.
The original keep was an important symbol of the castle and provided an elevated position from which to survey the surrounding grounds. Like the rest of the castle buildings, it disappeared following the Castle Abolition Order of 1873. Today, the former keep and tower sites help visitors understand the layout of the castle’s defensive structures.
Taiko Yagura and Tsukimi Yagura
The Taiko Yagura, or Drum Tower, and Tsukimi Yagura, or Moon-Viewing Tower, stood on either side of the main entrance in the Miki Enclosure. The Drum Tower was particularly large and imposing, with an exterior that rose through three stories and four floors.
Both towers featured exterior galleries with railings. In addition to their defensive and observation functions, such spaces could also be used for viewing the surroundings and enjoying the scenery. Although the buildings themselves have disappeared, their stone foundations remain, offering clues to their former scale and position.
Explore Mount Shiroyama and the Castle Ruins
Mount Shiroyama is an appealing place for a historical walk. The castle’s enclosures, including the Third Enclosure, Western Second Enclosure, Main Enclosure, and Eastern Second Enclosure, were arranged in a connected layout along the hill.
Walking along the paths allows visitors to discover the remaining stone walls, the former keep site, and the foundations of the defensive towers. The elevated areas also provide views over parts of Tokushima City, while the surrounding greenery offers a pleasant escape from the busy urban center.
The scenery changes with the seasons, making the grounds enjoyable for both history enthusiasts and visitors seeking a peaceful walk. Combining the hilltop ruins with the garden below provides a fuller picture of the castle’s former design and setting.
A Cultural Heritage Site and One of Japan’s Top 100 Castles
In 2006, Tokushima Castle was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Fine Castles, a nationwide list recognizing castles of particular historical importance. Its surviving stone walls, reconstructed gate, and historic garden make it an important cultural landmark in Tokushima Prefecture.
Although the castle’s original buildings are gone, the remaining features reveal how the site functioned as both a military stronghold and the seat of a feudal domain. For visitors interested in Japanese history, Tokushima Castle offers a rewarding opportunity to explore the legacy of the Hachisuka family and the development of Tokushima during the Edo period.
Discover Tokushima’s History and Landscapes
Tokushima Castle is a destination where history, architecture, and nature come together in the center of the city. Walking among the stone walls and former defensive enclosures reveals the strategic thinking behind the castle, while Omote Goten Garden showcases the elegance of traditional Japanese landscape design.
Be sure to visit the reconstructed Washi-no-Mon Gate and allow time to explore Mount Shiroyama and Tokushima Central Park. Together, these attractions offer a memorable introduction to Tokushima’s past and make the former castle grounds a worthwhile stop on any visit to the city.