Kishiwada Castle (岸和田城)

Flow of the course

About this spot

Surrounded by moats and stone walls, Kishiwada Castle's keep is cherished as the symbol of the castle town. The current keep was rebuilt in Showa 29 (1954), and its interior displays exhibits on Kishiwada's history and castle-related artifacts. The main attraction is the garden "Hasshin no Niwa" (八陣の庭) in front of the keep. This is a rare stone garden designed by Shigamori Mirei, one of Japan's foremost garden designers of the Showa period, based on the Eight Formation pattern of strategist Zhuge Liang. Since it was intentionally designed to be viewed from above, the view from the top floor of the keep is a must-see. The white castle keep and stone walls seen from the moat's edge are photogenic, and the spot is perfect for commemorative photos among friends. It's the centerpiece of the course, where you can enjoy historical exploration in the heart of the Danjiri festival city.

Tips

About a 7-minute walk from Takogeijzo Station on the Nankai Main Line, and just a short walk from the Danjiri Hall. The 3-facility combined admission ticket with the Danjiri Hall and Kishiwada Nature Museum is accepted here. Closed Mondays (open if Monday is a holiday). Walk through the Hasshin garden at ground level first, then view it from the top floor of the keep to fully appreciate the design's clever stone arrangements.

Best time to visit

Approximately 1 hour. Morning light hits the keep and moat from the front, making it ideal for photography.

Access & map

〒596-0073 Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture, 9-1 Kishijo-cho (大阪府岸和田市岸城町９−１)