Japan’s Shikoku acquired the brief finish of the stick in some ways. There are not any Shinkansen bullet trains on the island; it additionally occurs to be extra susceptible to tsunami and earthquakes than the remainder of the nation.
Then again, regardless of being dwelling to lower than 3% of contemporary Japan’s inhabitants, Shikoku is the place you’ll discover 4 of the nation’s remaining 12 “authentic” castles. Not dangerous, Shikoku, not dangerous in any respect!
So, is Marugame Citadel value visiting in your subsequent journey by way of Shikoku? Sure, and never simply because its authentic tenshu is unbroken—and since it’s really easy to take a Marugame Citadel day journey from Takamatsu, Okayama or past.
The right way to Get to Marugame Citadel
Most vacationers take a Marugame Citadel day journey from Takamatsu, in order that’s what I’m going to stipulate at present. The excellent news? Marugame is a straight shot from Takamatsu, positioned nearly half-hour west on the JR Yosan Line. These trains are largely non-reserved and are available a number of occasions per hour, so that you don’t must time something out too particularly. You’ll be able to merely get up at your leisure, and go to the citadel when it fits you.
In the event you’re coming from the mainland, you’ll have to be a bit extra conscious—notably should you start anyplace apart from Okayama, from which direct trains to Marugame Station run over the Seto Island Sea a minimum of as soon as per hour. For instance, coming from Kyoto provides a minimum of 90 minutes—~60 minutes onboard a Shinkansen Nozomi; as much as half-hour to situate your self as soon as at Okayama Station and discover your onward practice to Marugame.
Issues to Do at Marugame Citadel
Admire the citadel from ground-level
Arriving at Marugame Station, the citadel is imposing, at the same time as you method it. Take a while as you stroll to understand the splendor of the construction, and to think about what Marugame should’ve seemed like within the late Sixteenth century, when it was constructed.
Discover its spacious grounds
One factor that makes Marugame Citadel value visiting is how a lot of it there’s to discover. After you cross the bridge over the primary moat, you enter the primary of a number of tiers—and that’s earlier than you even go as much as the citadel tower! Locals and vacationers alike can be having fun with the ambiance.
Benefit from the view from the tenshu
A citadel’s preserve or tenshu is what determines whether or not or not it’s thought-about to be “authentic.” Whenever you ascend Marugame’s, try to be conscious of the truth that it has remained intact for over 400 years. It’s a marvel of structure and engineering, regardless of the historical past.
Go to a novel native museum
I feel that by now I’ve satisfied you: Marugame Citadel is value visiting. When you end right here, nonetheless, don’t instantly return to the station. Rain or shine, the distinctive Genichiro Inokuma Museum of Up to date Artwork is unquestionably deserving of your time.
Eat superb udon for lunch
Like the remainder of Kawaga extra broadly, Marugame is legendary for its udon noodles. Whether or not served sizzling or chilly, they make for a nutritious and refreshing meal. I personally love Mendokoro Wataya, simply north of Marugame Station, however so do locals—be ready to queue!
Different Issues to Do in Kawaga
Like Shikoku extra broadly, Kagawa prefecture is one among Japan’s most underrated locations. Listed here are another approach to occupy your time right here:
- Spend time in Takamatsu Metropolis, specifically on the superlative Ritsurin Backyard
- Take a day hike up the stone steps of enchanting Kotohira-gu temple
- Experience a ferry to Megijima, or different scenic islands within the Seto Inland Sea
- Make your island day journey art-focused by selecting iconic Naoshima
As you possibly can see, the journey from Takamatsu to Marugame Citadel is simply one of many some ways a visit to Kagawa-ken will steal your coronary heart.
Different FAQ About Visiting Marugame Citadel
What’s Marugame recognized for?
Amongst vacationers, Marugame is primarily recognized for its Sixteenth-century citadel, which is amongst simply 12 “authentic” castles remaining in Japan. Native Japanese know Marugame for its excessive variety of glorious udon eating places, and for the artwork of Genichiro Inokuma.
What are the 12 authentic castles in Japan?
Along with Marugame Citadel, listed below are the opposite authentic 11 castles in Japan, in addition to their prefectures: Matsuyama (Ehime); Kochi (Kochi); Uwajima (Ehime); Himeji (Hyogo); Hikone (Shiga); Matsumoto (Nagano); Hirosaki (Aomori); Inuyama (Aichi); Matsue (Shimane); Bitchu Matsuyama (Okayama); Maruoka (Fukui).
Why is Marugame Udon so widespread?
Udon from the Japanese metropolis of Marugame is widespread due to the standard of the wheat, and the truth that a conventional course of remains to be used. So far as the restaurant “Marugame Udon”? Effectively, that’s anybody’s guess.
The Backside Line
Is Marugame Citadel value visiting? Sure, and so is the underrated metropolis of Marugame extra broadly—right here’s how one can plan your Marugame Citadel day journey from Takamatsu, Okayama or past. When you end exploring the citadel, you possibly can spend a while on the town, be that on the Genichiro Inokuma Museum of Up to date Artwork, or just by sitting down for top-of-the-line bowls of udon you’re ever going to have in your life. Whether or not you come for the day from Takamatsu, or keep in a single day, belief me after I say that you simply’re by no means going to overlook Marugame. And even higher approach to be sure to always remember Marugame? Rent me to plan your journey to Japan!