Imabari Castle Photos

Imabari Castle is one of only three "seaside" castles in Japan. The moat that surrounds the castle keep is actually filled with tidal water, and you can often spot fish jumping about beneath the castle fortifications. The original keep was built in 1604, though the current tower dates from 1980. Despite its modernity, the castle paints a very photogenic picture with its gleaming white walls, reflective moat and springtime sakura. In the late afternoon on warm weather days, many locals come to enjoy the grounds, engaging in anything from a picnic to a walk on the walls to badminton games in the sandy courtyard.