Wakayama Castle is proudly ranked among Japan’s top 100 castles, with its current tower rebuilt in 1958 and celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018. The castle’s stone walls and moat have withstood centuries of history, offering a glimpse into Japan's past. Today, part of the Edo-era bailey has been transformed into a park filled with attractions like beautiful gardens, a historical center, and even a small zoo.

Wakayama Castle is just a 10-minute walk from Nankai Electric Railway's Wakayamashi Station. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the park sits in front of Wakayama City Hall, making it easily accessible. Visitors can freely explore the grounds, with admission fees required only for select areas, such as the castle tower.

Wakayama Castle was a key stronghold in western Japan, serving as the residence of the Kishu branch of the Tokugawa family, one of the three main Tokugawa branches. It was also home to Yoshimune Tokugawa, the shogun who later became famous through the TV series The Unfettered Shogun.

The castle tower of Wakayama Castle has endured multiple reconstructions throughout history. It was first destroyed by fire in 1846 after being struck by lightning. Rebuilt in 1850 to closely resemble its original form, it later faced destruction again during aerial bombings in the Pacific War. The current tower is its third reincarnation, preserving the legacy of this historic landmark.

The brilliant white castle tower stands in stunning contrast to the lush greenery of the castle grounds, creating a picturesque scene that evolves with the seasons. However, spring is the most spectacular time to visit, as the grounds are covered in blooming cherry blossoms, making it one of the best spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

Besides enjoying the beautiful scenery of the castle, there are plenty of other things to see and do there, too. So, without further ado, let me list the best ways to enjoy Wakayama Castle!

The castle tower is the undeniable highlight of Wakayama Castle. Begin your visit by exploring the higher areas of the park, then make your way to the square in front of the tower for the best views.

Admission
・High school students and older: 410 yen
・Elementary and middle school students: 200 yen

After paying the admission fee and entering, you'll immediately reach the second gate of the castle tower. Wakayama Castle’s tower consists of a larger and smaller tower, connected by defensive platforms and lookout towers on the stone walls known as Tamon Yagura, in a style called coalition towers. This architectural feature can also be seen in castles like Himeji Castle and Matsuyama Castle.

There is no entrance which goes directly to the larger tower; you go through the Kusunoki-mon and get to it by going through the smaller tower. The white gravel approach has a Japanese-style garden beauty to it.

The white of the castle tower seen at a close distance stands out beautifully.

From the castle tower, you can enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of Wakayama City. For an even more immersive experience, step onto the narrow veranda, which encircles the tower—just wide enough for one person to pass.

Looking down at the city from this vantage point, you can get a sense of what it must have felt like to oversee the land as the castle’s lord.

While you can get an excellent view of Wakayama City from the castle tower, you need to be outside of it to best view its style and form. After you leave the paid admission area, head east to the square in front of the tower.

In November 2017, a vantage point was created where once a palace connected to the castle stood.

There is a 110-meter-square area at the top of the stairs. Benches offer excellent views of the castle tower.

With no trees obstructing the view, this spot is perfect for photos, offering a clear and stunning perspective of the castle tower.

Hot Tip!
Along with the creation of this scenic vantage point, there is a shop in front of the castle tower worth checking out. Designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, the shop features a traditional wooden lattice exterior and a kitchen serving light dishes like soba and udon—perfect for a quick bite during your visit!

As we continue our walk inside the castle grounds let’s move on to the next interesting spot. While walking be sure to check the stone walls inside the castle grounds. Doing so you will see a number of various marks etched into the stone walls.

Researchers discovered that there about 140 different types of marks.

An information board on-site showcases the various marks found on the stone walls of Wakayama Castle. These engravings are believed to represent family crests, abbreviated characters, directions, dates, and names. While their exact purpose remains a mystery, some theories suggest they may have been used to identify stone dealers, indicate stone quality, or even serve as protective symbols to ward off evil.

As you explore the castle grounds, challenge yourself to spot as many unique stone engravings as possible—it’s a fascinating glimpse into the castle’s history!

Omotenashi Ninja are lurking everywhere throughout the park.

There’s something unusual about a section of the stone wall.

The Omotenashi Ninja were cleverly concealed! Their role is to assist sightseers by answering questions, posing for photos, and helping visitors, including those in wheelchairs or with strollers, navigate the steep inclines. While most can be found around the castle tower and the main gate entrance, you’ll also spot others scattered throughout the park, ready to offer their support.

And if you’d like, the Omotenashi Ninja will even put on a sword-fighting display for you! Their performances are especially popular with children. These charming characters are sure to add to the wonderful memories you'll take away from your visit. The Omotenashi Ninja are available from 9 AM to 5 PM on days other than Monday and Tuesday.

This is something you really should see as you are walking from the Otemon [Main Gate] towards the castle tower.

It resembles a small person trying to scale the wall, don’t you think? It seems that no one noticed this until it was introduced on a television program after which it has since become a popular photo spot! From some angles you cannot see it, so it is best to look at it from below.

The building we are about to introduce next is not like anything you will see in any other castle.

Below the castle tower and diagonally crossing the moat is a structure that appears to be a bridge. What do you suppose it might be?

This unique structure is Ohashiroka (Bridge Corridor), a roofed and walled bridge that once allowed the castle lord and his attendants to move discreetly between the outer citadel and west citadel. The enclosed design ensured that no one could see inside, preserving the secrecy of their movements.

What makes Ohashiroka even more remarkable is its diagonal construction—a rare architectural feature not found anywhere else in Japan.

You can actually enter the Ohashiroka and cross over to the other side. The roof and walls are solidly built giving it the feeling of a room. It protected the lord from the elements and protected his privacy.

This is because the corridor slants upward at about an 11-degree angle, so staggering the height of the steps served to prevent slipping and sliding on the polished floor.

Walking through Ohashiroka (Bridge Corridor), you can’t help but wonder what the lords of the Edo period were thinking as they crossed in secrecy. Since there’s no admission fee, it’s a must-experience part of Wakayama Castle! As you step inside, try to imagine life in the Edo period and the important figures who once walked this very path.

These were just some of the highlights of Wakayama Castle, offering a glimpse into its rich history and architecture. Now, let’s explore even more ways to enjoy the sights around the castle!

When you walk back down the hill behind the north side of the castle tower and along the small path you come to a rustic gate. Passing through it you come upon a quiet garden.

Inside Nishinomaru garden there is a charming bridge and you can hear the soothing sounds of a waterfall. In the moat that looks like a large pond, your eyes will be drawn to the carp swimming serenely.

Each season presents its own charming view, such as this photo of the garden taken in autumn when the leaves are at their brightest. Spending time in this serene setting will definitely refresh and relax you.

Within the garden of Wakayama Castle, you’ll find the Koshoan tea house, a serene retreat completed in May 1974. It was a generous gift from Konosuke Matsushita, an honorary citizen of Wakayama City and the founder of Panasonic.

The name "Koshoan" comes from a blend of characters: "Ko" from Momijidani (meaning "maple valley") and "Sho" from Matsushita, combined with "An", which means "hermitage"—perfectly capturing the tranquil atmosphere of this traditional tea house.

Even if you're not familiar with the tea ceremony, you can still enjoy matcha in the seated tea room for 470 yen (tax included), served with seasonal Japanese sweets.

In this building, designed in the style of a traditional tea ceremony house, nestled within a moss-covered garden and gently touched by fresh breezes, you can refresh both mind and body. Be sure to visit and experience its peaceful atmosphere.

The Wakayama Historical Museum is located at the northwestern tip of the park. Opened in 2015, this facility features a room with historical exhibits about Wakayama Castle and the local people, as well as a tourism information center and a gift shop for sightseeing souvenirs.

Let’s first go up to the historical displays on the second floor. There is an admission charge of 100 yen (tax included) for high school aged people and older, but no charge for junior high school aged and younger. There is also a common admission ticket to the castle tower.

A movie entitled "The Revival of Wakayama Castle" is shown in the theater which is located directly behind the reception. The movie lasts about 12 minutes and explains the essential aspects of the castle. Scenes of life within the castle walls during the late Edo period are recreated using virtual reality. It shows what the parts of the castle which have since disappeared were once like.

In addition to the theater, there are various exhibits, such as graphics introducing the history of Wakayama Castle.

In addition, the exhibit features gold seals passed down through the Kishu Tokugawa family, offering a fascinating glimpse into the castle's rich history.

Curators are also available on-site, happy to share insights and provide detailed explanations about the exhibitions. It’s a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of Wakayama Castle’s legacy and the Tokugawa family's influence.

At the Tourism Information Center on the first floor of the Wakayama Historical Museum, you can rent historical costumes (reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance, and there is a fee). You can dress up as the lord of the castle or a princess and stroll around the castle grounds, experiencing what it was like to live in that era.

Once you’ve completed the necessary arrangements at the reception, you’ll be directed to a back room where you can change into your costume.

If you have trouble, a staff member will be glad to help you.

Looks cool, don’t you think? If it rains, you can only wear the costumes inside the Wakayama Historical Museum, but when the weather is nice you can walk around the castle grounds in them!

The virtual reality experience showcased in the theater of the historical exhibition hall is also available as a free smartphone app. To explore Wakayama Castle's history in an immersive way, simply download the Street Museum app.

When you use the app at one of the 10 designated locations around the castle grounds, such as the castle tower, signs, Nishinomaru Garden, and Okaguchi Gate, your smartphone will display how that spot looked during the Edo period! It’s a great way to enhance your experience and get even more enjoyment from your walk around the castle grounds.

There is also a zoo inside the park. Admission is free and even children can see everything in about 30 minutes.

There are penguins, deer, beavers, and bears, but they hibernate during the winter.

The free zoo is definitely a bonus attraction when sightseeing at the castle. Be sure to visit it.

Wakayama Castle has an amazing number of attractions. This is a place where history buffs and everyone else can enjoy a relaxed day of sightseeing.

Last of all here is a collection of photos of other places not mentioned in the article. Be sure to visit them, too, when you visit Wakayama.

(*This article was originally published in March 2018. Prices and open hours were updated in February 2025.)