Kagawa | Discovering Marugame Castle: Boost Your Love Luck with the Heart Stone and Japan's Tallest Stone Walls

Marugame Castle, located in Kagawa Prefecture, is a strategic fortress facing the Seto Inland Sea and serving as the gateway to Shikoku. It boasts Japan's tallest stone walls, reaching a total height of 60 meters—equivalent to the foundation of a 20-story building. Among Japan's 12 remaining castle keeps, Marugame Castle is the smallest. However, it is one of the few castles, alongside Hirosaki and Kochi Castles, that still preserves both its keep and main gate. The castle's origins date back to the Muromachi period when Nara Motoyasu built a branch castle in Naka District, marking the earliest form of Marugame Castle. During the Keicho era, Ikoma Chikamasa, who was granted the Sanuki Province, modeled the castle after Osaka Castle and Azuchi Castle, initiating major construction. However, in the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate implemented the "One Castle Per Province" policy, leading to the dismantling of Marugame Castle while retaining Takamatsu Castle. In 1645, under the approval of the shogunate, the then-lord Yamazaki Ieharu rebuilt Marugame Castle. Its gracefully curved stone walls and three-story keep remain intact to this day. The keep, Japan's smallest, is entirely wooden and features a blend of Karahafu and Chidorihafu architectural styles, making it a charming and elegant structure. The craftsmanship is evident in the second gate, where two massive wooden beams are joined to form the lintel. One unique feature of Marugame Castle is the "Heart Stone," embedded within the stone walls. Touching this stone is said to bring good fortune in love. A word of advice: since the castle's stone walls are quite high, the climb can be physically demanding. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for your visit. 📍Address: Ichibancho, Marugame, Kagawa 763-0025, Japan 🚗 Access: A 15-minute walk from JR Marugame Station along Tomachi Street.