Wakayama was a daytrip from Osaka, using the Kansai 3-day Pass. I visited Wakayama Castle and Kimiidera Temple, but it's a pity I didn't visit any of the hotsprings. As with any climb, going all the way to the castle is rewarding - the views are excellent. Wakayama now houses a museum and commands a panoramic view of Wakayama City.
When you reach the train station, there is a map and information board on the buses you can take to various attractions.
Hideyoshi Hashiba (Or Toyotomi), subjugated Kishu and ordered his younger brother Hidenaga, to oversee the construction of the Wakayama Castle on Mt Torafusu in 1585. After the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Yoshinaga Asano took over the castle and continued construction. In 1619, a new feudal lord, Yorinobu, the 10th son of Ieyasu Tokugawa, moved in and made major improvements. It served as a home for the Kishu house, one of 3 houses of the Tokugawa Clan. The entire site is a designated Historic Landmark, the Okaguchimon Gate is an Important Cultural Property and the Noshinomaru Teien Garden is a Place of Scenic Beauty.
Wakayama Castle is located on the peak of Mt Torafusu (48.9m). It is named as such because its shape resembles a tiger (tora) lying on its side (fusu), which really explains why there's a statue of a tiger lying on its back here:
A nice touch: Walking Sticks
The view of Okaguchimon Gate, the back entrance to the castle and one of the few original structures that dates back to the Tokugawa Period.
Wakayama's Donjon (or dungeon) was struck by lightning in 1846 and rebuilt in 1850 by the Tokugawa daimyo, and suffered severe fire damage in 1945, and funds were raised to rebuild Wakayama's beloved castle. Reconstruction using ferroconcrete (to minimise damage) was finally completed in 1958. I can see why it's worth restoring several times over.
More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).
Cost: 200 to 410 yen
Access: Right beside the Koenmae bus stop
Related Posts:
Japan Day 12 – Wakayama, Day Trip:
- Using the Kansai 3-day Pass
- Wakayama Castle
- Kimidera Temple
- Spa World (Osaka)
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