Kishiwada Castle

The symbol of Kishiwada, known as the town of "Danjiri", is the residence of the Okabe family Kishiwada clan with 53,000 stones. The shape of the main enclosure and the Ninomaru is similar to the "chikiri" that winds the thread of a weaving machine, so it is also called "Chikirijyo".

The history of the castle dates back to the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and during the reign of Hideyoshi Hashiba, the castle was the scene of numerous battles as a base for his attacks on Kishu. The legend of "Tako Jizo" is well known: when a large army of Negoro and Saika warriors attacked the castle, the castle was defended by a Buddhist priest riding on a giant octopus and a swarm of octopuses.

The present keep was rebuilt in 1954, and the interior is used as a museum. In front of the castle tower, there is a garden called "Hachijin-no-Niwa," which is designated as a national place of scenic beauty.

During the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival held every September, 15 danjiris enter the Kishijo Shrine inside the castle. The "Yarimawashi," in which the Danjiri run up the "Konakara-zaka" slope from the ruins of the Ote-mon Gate and make a right-angle turn with great vigor, is the most spectacular part of the festival. The Kishiwada Danjiri Kaikan is located adjacent to the castle, where visitors can learn about the culture and history of danjiri.