[Imabari Castle | Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture "A moat filled with sea water. A defensive fortress on the Seto Inland Sea, left behind by Todo Takatora"]

[Imabari Castle | Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture "A moat filled with sea water. A defensive fortress of the Seto Inland Sea left behind by Todo Takatora"] — [Imabari Castle] in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, was built in 1602 and is one of the "three great sea castles of Japan" that incorporate sea water into the moat. It was designed by the famous Todo Takatora. In addition to its high level of castle construction technology, it flourished as the "keystone of the Seto Inland Sea" that combined defense power and beauty. The current castle tower was rebuilt in the Showa era, but the contrast between the sea and the castle is one of a kind. Walking along the moat with the soft scent of sea breeze, you can feel the atmosphere of a port town somewhere. ⸻ 📍【Location & Access】 ・Address: 3-1-3 Toricho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture ・Access: 15 minutes on foot from JR Imabari Station / 5 minutes by bus / Parking available ・The Towel Museum and Imabari Port are nearby, making it a great base for sightseeing. 🕰️【Opening hours】 ・9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) ・Closed: New Year's holiday (12/29-1/3) 💰【Admission fee】 ・General: 530 yen ・Elementary and junior high school students: 260 yen ・The fee includes not only the castle tower but also the weapon display and observation deck. ⸻ 🏯Recommended points • The moat is filled with seawater, creating a unique view of a "sea castle." 　→ The moat smells of the sea. The atmosphere is completely different from other castles. • The design highlights Todo Takatora's castle-building techniques. → The curves of the stone walls, the shape of the moat, and the design to keep enemies away are everywhere. • The view from the observation deck is pleasant. → The castle tower is a spectacular spot where you can see the Seto Inland Sea and the city of Imabari. • The exhibits inside the castle are also worth seeing. → There are displays of armor and swords. It will appeal to fans of the Sengoku period. ⸻ 📸 Tips ・In the evening on a sunny day, the sky is reflected in the moat, making for fantastic photos. ・The area around the moat is a pleasant walking course, and is great for taking photos. ・There are many stairs inside the castle tower, so it is best to wear comfortable shoes. ・We also recommend visiting the nearby Imabari Towel Main Store and Fukiage Shrine. ⸻ #ImabariCastle #Ehime #AbsolutelyFreeTrip