One of Japan's top 100 castles.
It's pretty small, but the surroundings are really nice.
Shimabara Castle | Review by Michelle Lee
Other Reviews by Michelle Lee
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Takamatsu Symbol Tower
Standing 151.3 meters tall, the tower of Takamatsu Symbol Tower is the tallest building in Shikoku. Located just a 5-minute walk from the Takamatsu Port ferry terminal and 3 minutes from JR Takamatsu Station, it is ideally situated as a gateway for exploring Kagawa.
If you go up to the higher floors, the view is pretty nice.
You can see the port and the city, and on a clear day it feels really relaxing looking out over the sea.
Overall though, the atmosphere feels more business-like than touristy, so it doesn’t have a strong sightseeing vibe. -
Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods (Kami no Michi) is the sacred approach to Miho Shrine, stretching about 500 meters straight from Miho no Matsubara to the shrine’s torii gate. According to legend, this path was once taken by the gods who descended to Miho no Matsubara, guided by the sacred “Hagoromo Pine.”
The whole path is surrounded by tall trees, which really sets the mood!
There's a special sense of tranquility here—it almost feels like stepping into a myth. Especially during autumn when the leaves turn, the whole path is covered in red and orange. Super dreamy! 🍁 -
Shimabara Hibariyama Flower Park
A flower park created through collaboration between Shimabara City and private partners on erosion control land designated after the eruption disaster of Mt. Unzen Fugendake. Opened in 2012, it welcomes visitors with colorful flower fields spreading out against the backdrop of Mt. Heisei-Shinzan. In spring, cherry blossoms, weeping cherry blossoms, and Approx. 10 million rapeseed blossoms begin to bloom around late March. Azaleas appear in mid-April, and mixed flowers color the vast grounds from around early May to around late May.
The park is pretty spacious, so it’s really nice to walk around and take photos. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Unzen, and the whole view feels wide open. There are also a few small vendors and rest areas inside, so you can grab something and snack while you stroll. I’d definitely recommend coming during flower season—it’s so worth it, and the photos turn out amazing. If you’re lucky enough to get blue skies, the scenery looks just like a postcard. Highly recommend it for couples or families looking to take a relaxing walk 👍