On this visit to Imabari Castle, I was immediately drawn to the castle and its wide moat! I had thought Japanese castles were all pretty similar, but I didn't expect Imabari Castle to have such unique features.
Imabari Castle is one of Japan's three great sea castles. Its most distinctive feature is that it sits right next to the Seto Inland Sea and draws seawater directly into its moat, making it very different from ordinary castles. Walking around the castle, you can see the towering stone walls, the wide moat, and the remains of the water gate that once brought in seawater, which I found quite interesting.
After climbing to the castle tower, you can look out over the Seto Inland Sea. Standing up high and taking in the ocean view, I could finally understand why they chose to use seawater for the moat. The location is truly unique.
I visited on a weekday, so there weren't many tourists. I could stroll around and take photos at a relaxed pace without having to deal with crowds, and slowly appreciate every corner of the castle.
I think the most charming thing about Imabari Castle is that it has a completely different atmosphere during the day and at night! During the day, you can enjoy the castle architecture and surrounding scenery. At night, the castle is illuminated, and the golden stone walls are reflected in the moat. The whole scene is very beautiful and makes you want to take a few more photos.
If time allows, I really recommend visiting both during the day and at night. The view after the lights come on at night is especially worth seeing!
