Marugame is part of the so-called “Authentic Dozen,” a group of twelve castles whose donjons have survived to the present day without major reconstructions since the Edo period.
After Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s forces conquered the island of Shikoku in 1587, Sanuki Province was granted to Ikoma Chikamasa (1526–1603). He initially settled in Hiketa Castle, but its location at the far eastern edge of the province made it difficult to govern all of Sanuki. For this reason, in 1590 Chikamasa built a new residence, Takamatsu Castle, located farther west along the coast.
In 1597, Marugame Castle was constructed on Mount Kameyama, a hill about 66 meters high, approximately 30 kilometers west of Takamatsu. After the construction was completed, Chikamasa moved there, appointing his son as the castellan of Takamatsu Castle.
During the Sekigahara Campaign in 1600, Chikamasa supported the Western Coalition, but at the same time he sent his son, Ikoma Kazumasa, to fight on the side of Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a result of the Eastern Coalition’s victory, the Ikoma clan retained its rights to Sanuki Province. During this period, Chikamasa once again moved to Takamatsu Castle. In 1615, in accordance with the Tokugawa shogunate’s decree of “one province, one castle,” Marugame Castle was abandoned. Today, only partially preserved stone walls on the eastern slope of the hill remain as reminders of this stage in the castle’s history.
In 1640, a conflict broke out within the Ikoma clan, prompting intervention by the Tokugawa shogunate, after which the Ikoma holdings were confiscated. The following year, these lands were granted to Yamazaki Ieharu (1594–1648), who was known as a capable administrator and castle builder. He received them in part as a reward for his achievements during the reconstruction of Osaka Castle and for his participation in suppressing the Shimabara Rebellion.
Although the Yamazaki clan was small and largely unknown, it was renowned for its talented fortification architects, who were considered on par with figures such as Kato Kiyomasa and Todo Takatora. Castles built by the Yamazaki, including Wakasa Oniga, Nariwa, and Tomioka, impressed contemporaries with the scale and strength of their stone structures.
After gaining control of Sanuki Province, the Yamazaki clan decided to construct a well-fortified castle on the site of the ruins of Marugame. Ieharu built some of the tallest stone walls in Japan at the time and also promoted the development of the castle town.
In 1657, the Yamazaki clan lost Sanuki Province because it was left without an heir. The remaining members of the clan were relocated to Nariwa Castle, which had previously belonged to them. The following year, the Kyogoku clan was transferred to Marugame from Tatsuno Castle. Earlier, this clan had served as governors of Wakasa Province with their seat at Obama Castle, and in 1634 they were moved to Matsue Castle. In 1637, the Kyogoku clan also found itself without an heir and was demoted, after which it was relocated to Tatsuno with a reduced income. After settling in Marugame, the Kyogoku clan undertook a large-scale reconstruction of the castle. The donjon that has survived to the present day was built in 1660. The complete reconstruction of the castle complex was finished by 1670, and in the same year the masugata gate complex of the Otemon, which still survives today, was constructed.
The castle is arranged on three levels. At the top of the hill were the main bailey, the honmaru, and the second bailey, the ninomaru. Below them lay the third bailey, the sannomaru, and farther down was the outer bailey, which was surrounded by water-filled moats. The total area of the castle grounds was approximately 500,000 square meters.
The upper half of the hill is completely reinforced with ishigaki stone walls, giving it the appearance of a stone pyramid. In some sections, the height of these walls exceeds 20 meters.
The tenshu donjon is located in the northern part of the main bailey and takes the form of a tower with three tiers and three floors. It belongs to the simplest dokuritsushiki type, as it has no additional attached structures.
The Kyogoku clan ruled the castle until the end of the Edo period. In 1869, a fire destroyed several towers. In 1871, in line with the policies of the new Meiji government, the castle was abandoned and transferred to the Japanese army. In 1877, many of the structures were dismantled, and only the donjon and the Ote Ichinomon and Ote Ninomom gates have survived to the present day. All three structures are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
In 1919, the upper part of the hill was purchased by the city of Marugame, and Kameyama Park was opened there. In 1943, the castle’s donjon was designated a “National Treasure” under the old Law for the Protection of National Treasures. In 1950, the donjon was dismantled, restored, and reassembled. In 2006, the Japan Castle Foundation (Nihon Jokaku Kyokai) included Marugame Castle on its list of the “100 Fine Castles of Japan.” The castle grounds are designated a National Historic Site. Marugame Castle is also known by the names Kameyama and Horai.
See also
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Iyo Matsuyama Castle
Historically, the center of Iyo Province—corresponding to today’s Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku—was the city of Imabari, while the Matsuyama area was regarded as an agricultural hinterland with broad plains and low hills. During the Muromachi period, the central part of the province was governed by the Kano clan from Yuzuki Castle. With the onset of the Sengoku period, however, this clan lost its former influence and was forced to survive in the shadow of the more powerful Mori and Chōsokabe clans. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s forces conquered Shikoku in 1587, the northern part of Iyo Province was granted to Fukushima Masanori, one of the so-called “Seven Spears of Shizugatake.” In 1595, Masanori was transferred to Kiyosu Castle, and the lands around Matsuyama were given to another of the Seven Spears, Katō Yoshiaki, who received Masaki Castle and an income of 60,000 koku of rice.
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Kanazawa Castle
Construction of Kanazawa Castle began in 1580 on the orders of Sakuma Morimasa, a vassal of Oda Nobunaga. The castle was built on the site of the Ikko-ikki sect's Oyama Gobo temple, which is why it is sometimes called Oyama Castle. Morimasa managed to build several moats and begin construction of a castle town. However, after his defeat at the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583, he was executed, and ownership of the castle passed to Maeda Toshiie (1538–1599).
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Nakatsu Castle
Kuroda Yoshitaka (1546–1604) was one of the closest advisors to the legendary military commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He took part in key military campaigns of the late 16th century, including the campaign against Shikoku in 1585 and the campaign against Kyushu in 1587. Later, during the second campaign in Korea, Yoshitaka served as chief advisor to the commander of the invasion forces, Kobayakawa Hideaki. After Hideyoshi's death, he swore allegiance to Tokugawa Ieyasu, thereby securing his influence and patronage under Japan's new leader.
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Edo Castle
The history of Edo Castle dates back to the Heian period, when the Edo clan built a small fort on this site. In 1457, the vassal of the Uesugi clan, Ota Dokan (1432–1486), constructed a full-scale castle here. Internal conflicts weakened the Uesugi clan, and in 1524, Ota Dokan’s grandson, Ota Yasutaka, surrendered the castle without resistance to the forces of Hojo Soun, the ambitious leader of the Hojo clan. While Odawara Castle remained the clan's main stronghold, Edo was considered a key strategic fortress.
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Samurai Museum Shinjuku
Situated in the vibrant district of Shinjuku, the museum showcases an extensive collection of samurai armor, weapons, and cultural artifacts spanning from the Kamakura to the Edo period. The exhibits aim to convey the samurai's unwavering commitment to honor and discipline, reflecting how their spirit continues to influence modern Japanese culture.
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Anjo Castle
Anjo Castle was built on a slight elevation at the edge of the Hekikai Plateau, about 2 kilometers southeast of present-day central Anjo City in Aichi Prefecture. Today, the surrounding area thrives on large-scale agriculture and automotive manufacturing, utilizing the expansive flatlands and its proximity to the Nagoya region.
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Numata Castle
Numata Castle, located in Numata, northern Gunma Prefecture, Japan, has a rich and complex history. During the late Edo period, it served as the residence of the Toki clan, who ruled the Numata Domain. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands multiple times and was the site of significant battles during the Sengoku period.
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Iwabitsu Castle
Iwabitsu Castle is a yamashiro-style (mountain) castle located atop Mount Iwabitsu in Higashiagatsuma, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Recognized for its historical significance, its ruins have been protected as a National Historic Site since 2019.
