I’m considerably embarrassed to say this, given how lengthy I’ve been touring to Japan, however I’ve solely just lately been in a position to say that I’ve visited all 12 of Japan’s “unique” castles.
Embarrassed not as a result of such a declaration issues, however as a result of I had already seen 10 of them a few years in the past. I merely saved making excuses to not full the gathering, because it had been.
In some methods, it isn’t stunning that one of many closing two was Uwajima Citadel—with only a single tower perched atop a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, it’s by far the smallest and most humble construction not destroyed in the course of the Meiji Restoration. However that isn’t all the story.
Why I Waited So Lengthy to Go to Uwajima
As you realize in case you’ve learn this weblog for any size of time, I principally by no means shut up about Shikoku. I attempt to go there at the very least yearly, and have visited all its prefectures a number of occasions. Uwajima, nonetheless, is off the crushed path, even for Shikoku. It’s a reasonably substantial prepare trip from Matsuyama, after which a steep (if comparatively brief) uphill hike when you get to the city.
There’s additionally the truth that Uwajima Citadel, at the very least on paper, doesn’t seem that spectacular. The precise construction is the smallest one amongst all of Japan’s “unique” castles, and whereas it’s impressively perched a high a hill (this, frankly, doesn’t come throughout properly on-line or in footage extra usually), it’s not a spot that feels as essential because it as soon as was (it served because the western base of the Date Samurai clan for greater than 400 years).
Methods to Go to Uwajima Citadel
Day journey from Matsuyama
The best approach to go to Uwajima Citadel is on a day journey from Matsuyama. Restricted Categorical companies alongside the JR Yosan Line depart as soon as per hour, and take about 75 minutes every manner en route. The citadel is one other 20-Half-hour every manner on foot, that means that even with lunch, you may full this in half a day.
Day journey from Kochi
Reaching Uwajima from Kochi Metropolis is a little bit bit extra cumbersome, however continues to be attainable. It takes round 5 hours one-way by prepare, which implies it’s not a sensible day journey. Nevertheless, if in case you have a automotive and plan to be in rural Kochi-ken (alongside the Shimanto River, for instance), it’s positively doable.
In a single day in Uwajima
On one hand, there’s not lots to do in Uwajima in addition to visiting Uwajima Citadel. Then again, staying in a single day (I like the straightforward however purposeful JR Clement Resort Uwajima) permits you to take your time exploring the nooks and crannies of the city, a lot of that are particular regardless of not being worthy of a journey information.
Throughout a Shikoku highway journey
I discussed, within the Kochi paragraph, that having a automotive could make it simpler to go to Uwajima. It will also be extra thrilling, corresponding to in case you’re visiting Uwajima on the identical day as Nikobuchi waterfall, Cape Ashizuri or the aforementioned Shimanto River.
On the way in which to Kyushu
In actual fact, in case you deliberate it out good, you possibly can cease at Uwajima in your manner from Shikoku to Kyushu. Particularly, drive to Uwajima within the morning and go to the citadel. Then, drive northward to Yawatahama, the port the place ferries to Beppu depart.
Is Uwajima Citadel Price Visiting?
Despite the fact that I visited on a mostly-cloudy day, and in the course of the center of a tiring highway journey by way of Shikoku, I discovered Uwajima Citadel spectacular. This was notably the case due to the steep climb I discussed earlier. I reached the highest not anticipating to be impressed by what awaited me, and as a substitute set free an audible gasp as I gazed upon on the tenshu, which was completely framed by sakura.
Now, there’s in fact the query of how far you’ll must journey to succeed in Uwajima. It’s lots much less heavy of a carry, as an illustration, in case you’re already going to be in Matsuyama, or in case you your self are driving round Shikoku. Conversely, I may not advocate that you simply go to Uwajima Citadel if doing so would require you to journey all the way in which from Tokyo and even Osaka.
Different FAQ About Uwajima Citadel
What’s Uwajima identified for?
Lately, Uwajima is understood primarily for being residence to Uwajima Citadel, which is its high vacationer points of interest. For hundreds of years all through historical past, nonetheless, Uwajima served as a base for certainly one of Japan’s most essential Samurai clans, which is why the citadel was constructed within the first place.
How do you get to Uwajima?
You possibly can attain Uwajima by using the JR Yosan Line (ideally, a Restricted Categorical service) from Matsuyama, the biggest metropolis on Shikoku island. Alternatively, town is most simply accessible by automotive not solely from Matsuyama, but in addition from Kochi Metropolis.
The place is Uwajima?
Uwajima is situated in Ehime, the westernmost prefecture of Japan’s Shikoku island. Nevertheless, it’s within the southern portion of Ehime, which signifies that it’s additionally somewhat near Kochi. In the event you take a look at a map of Shikoku, you’ll see Uwajima within the far southwestern nook.
The Backside Line
Uwajima Citadel is far more spectacular than it appears from floor stage (and positively, from studying about it on the web). Situated in a nook of Ehime prefecture that you simply’re unlikely to go to until you’re intentional about it, it’s the most obscure of Japan’s “unique” castles for a motive. And but it’s exactly due to these elements—the low expectations you’re more likely to have; the arduous journey you’re virtually assured to want to make—that Uwajima-jo will delight and shock you, when you lastly get there. You possibly can additional sweeten the deal while you rent me to plan a personalised Japan itinerary.