CastleMountain castle (yamajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 175
What makes this castle distinctive
On a headland wrapped around a harbor, a Toyotomi daimyo built a stone-walled castle to guard the eastern edge of Sanuki.
Why?
Hiketa Castle stands on Shiroyama, an 82 m hill that juts into the sea and wraps around the north side of Hiketa harbor. The harbor was an important stop where Seto Inland Sea ships waited for wind and tide, and it faced the Harima Sea on the provincial border. The Ikoma family, who were given Sanuki Province, made this castle one of their three bases, along with Takamatsu and Marugame.[8][2][9]
The main enclosure's stone walls and the view over town
Where
The main enclosure (honmaru) on the summit of Shiroyama, reached by the walking trail from the harbor-side trailhead.
What to look at
How the corner stones of the honmaru are stacked in alternating long and short blocks (sangi-zumi), with small stones packed into the gaps. Then the view down over Hiketa town and harbor.
Why it's interesting
The city says the corner walls of the honmaru use an older stacking method and were the first stone walls built at Hiketa. The honmaru was the spot most visible from the town, a good place to show off the lord's power. From the top you can see the Harima Sea, the Sanuki Mountains and the harbor all at once, which shows how much the castle's location was about sea routes.[8][1]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideViewable on foot from the trail. There are no toilets on Shiroyama.
02
The tall stone walls of the North Second Enclosure
Where
The North and South Second Enclosures (Kita-ninomaru and Minami-ninomaru), on either side of the main gate site at the top of the main approach.
What to look at
The 5–6 m lower wall of the North Second Enclosure, with stones carefully packed into the gaps, and the large stones placed around the main gate site.
Why it's interesting
Every bailey (kuruwa) at Hiketa is enclosed by stone walls, about 600 m in all. The North Second Enclosure keeps a 2–3 m upper wall and a 5–6 m lower wall, and the upper wall uses some of the largest stones in the castle. The two stone-walled second enclosures are thought to have held the lord's residence. The shape of the walls and the finds date them to the Keichō era (1596–1615).[8]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleThe lower wall is visible. The upper wall is covered with protective sheeting because it could collapse (as of the 2024 guide map).
The streets of Hiketa at the foot of Shiroyama, around Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki.
What to look at
Streets lined with old merchant houses, and the grid-like layout of the blocks.
Why it's interesting
A castle town was laid out together with the castle, and the city says its grid of streets and place names still carry traces of it. After the castle's role ended around 1615, the town lived on as a port and merchant town. The Next 100 Castles stamp is also kept in town, at Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki.[8][2][3]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe streets are free to walk. Private houses can be seen only from outside.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
20 min walk from JR Hiketa Station
Climb
Some climbing
Time neededEditors' estimate
The city says a loop of the site takes about 1.5–2 hours; allow 2.5–3 hours including the walk from the station.
Admission
No charge is listed for the stamp; other fees not confirmed
Hours
10:00–16:00
Access
Open to visitors
The site can be toured on foot along the walking trails; stay on them. Avoid going after dark. Fires, taking stones or tiles, climbing the walls, and collecting plants or animals are prohibited. The Next 100 Castles stamp is not at the castle but in town, at Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki and Hiketa Community Center (only during opening hours).
A headland over a harbor where ships waited for wind and tide
Shiroyama is a hill that pushes out into the sea like a cape, wrapping around Hiketa harbor. From the Middle Ages the harbor was a key point on the Harima Sea, where ships traveling the Seto Inland Sea waited for good winds and tides. Its position at the eastern edge of Sanuki, close to the border with Awa (today's Tokushima), is also thought to explain why a castle was built here.[8][2]
02
Historical record
It began as an earthwork fort
According to the city's chronology, a warrior named Shinomiya Ukon made Hiketa Castle his base around 1504–21. In 1570 Yano Suruga-no-kami, a retainer of the Miyoshi of Awa, became its lord. The North Bailey (kita-kuruwa) has no stone walls and is thought to be a remnant of the earlier earthwork castle, before stone walls were added.[8]
03
Historical record
War with the Chōsokabe, then the Ikoma
When Chōsokabe Motochika of Tosa invaded Sanuki, Hiketa became an important military base. In 1583 a retainer of Sengoku Hidehisa, sent by Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, took the castle, but Sengoku's forces lost the Battle of Hiketa to the Chōsokabe and retreated to Shōdoshima. In 1587 Ikoma Chikamasa, given Sanuki by Hideyoshi, came to Hiketa from Akō in Harima, then soon moved on to Utazu and Takamatsu.[8][9]
04
Historical record
A stone castle in the Oda–Toyotomi style
The Ikoma developed Hiketa together with Takamatsu and Marugame as a base for eastern Sanuki. From the Genkandani valley a main approach climbs to the North and South Second Enclosures, the main enclosure and the East Enclosure, set out in a U-shape along the ridges, with a reservoir called the Keshō-ike. Foundation stones and many roof tiles found in the enclosures show there were tile-roofed buildings. Stone-walled enclosures like these are typical of the "Shokuhō-style" castles spread by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the city calls Hiketa a valuable example of how that style spread across Japan.[8][9]
05
Historical record
Closed by the one-castle rule, leaving its stone walls
Used as a branch castle for eastern Sanuki, Hiketa is said to have been closed under the 1615 "one province, one castle" order. By 1643, when Matsudaira Yorishige, first lord of the Takamatsu domain, held a deer hunt on Shiroyama, it was no longer a castle. No buildings remain, but the Ikoma family's rough-stone walls still stand in the woods.[9][8]
06
Historical record
From a Taishō-era park to a National Historic Site
Around 1924–30, walking trails and a lookout were built on the hill, and Shiroyama Park became a tourist spot. Today's trails date from then and do not always follow the castle's original routes. Excavations took place from 2004 to 2013, the castle was named one of the Next 100 Fine Castles of Japan in 2017, and it became a National Historic Site on March 10, 2020.[8][5][2]
Battle of Hiketa: Sengoku's forces lose to the Chōsokabe[8]
Ikoma Chikamasa is given Sanuki and enters Hiketa Castle[8][9]
Said to be closed under the one-castle-per-province order[9]
around 1924–30
Trails and a lookout turn the hill into Shiroyama Park[8]
Selected as one of the Next 100 Fine Castles of Japan[3]
Designated a National Historic Site on March 10[2]
Buildings and remains
The keep today
Not yet confirmed
The city's map marks a 'tenshu base' in the main enclosure, but official materials do not confirm that a keep stood there (the Japan Castle Association lists the keep as "-"). The city notes that a Taishō-era imaginary drawing of the castle is not reliable for its buildings.
The site today
No buildings remain; the whole of Shiroyama is the castle site. Stone-walled enclosures survive on the summit and can be toured on Taishō-era trails. The hill includes national forest, part of Setonaikai National Park, and protected forest.
Main buildings
Site only
Stone walls of the main, second and east enclosures
Rough-stone walls about 600 m long in total. The upper wall of the North Second Enclosure is under protective sheeting.[8]
Site only
Keshō-ike reservoir
An artificial reservoir built against water shortages. Tradition says the lord's daughters and their attendants used its water for makeup. The wall on its south side is later than the others.[8]
Site only
North Bailey
An earthen bailey without stone walls, thought to remain from the castle before the stone walls.[8]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Mountain castle (yamajiro)built on a mountain; expect a climbEditorial article
Period
Medieval (c.1185–1570s), Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Not yet confirmedwhether a keep existed is still being checkedEditorial article
Main lords
Ikoma clan, Sengoku clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1615Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Stone walls, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Fortified gateways (koguchi), Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation
National Historic Site (Hiketa Castle ruins) (2020)Editorial article
Selection
Next 100 Fine Castles No. 175Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Open to visitors
The site can be toured on foot along the walking trails; stay on them. Avoid going after dark. Fires, taking stones or tiles, climbing the walls, and collecting plants or animals are prohibited. The Next 100 Castles stamp is not at the castle but in town, at Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki and Hiketa Community Center (only during opening hours).
Higashikagawa City Museum of History and Folklore (excavated finds; no stamp)
Hours
9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed
Tuesdays (or the next day if Tuesday is a holiday) and December 29 – January 3
Admission
Free admission for the castle illustration display (April 6, 2026 – March 31, 2027); regular admission not confirmed[5][6]
Checked: 2026-10-04
By car / parking
About 10 minutes from the Hiketa IC on the Takamatsu Expressway to Trailhead 1. Parking near Trailhead 1 (23 and 5 spaces on the map) and 10 spaces at Trailhead 2 by the Tanoura campground. The city tourism site lists 28 spaces.[8][9]
Checked: 2026-10-04
Grounds opening hours
No set hours confirmed. The city asks visitors to climb only in daylight, as walking at night is dangerous.[1]Checked: 2026-10-04
Time neededEditors' estimate
The city says a loop of the site takes about 1.5–2 hours; allow 2.5–3 hours including the walk from the station.
Steps, slopes and footing
There are trails, but it is still a hill walk. Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothes, preferably long sleeves and long trousers, and bring water.[1][4]
Wheelchairs and strollers
No official information found. The site is reached on hill trails and is not suited to wheelchairs or strollers.Checked: 2026-10-04
Toilets and rest
There are no toilets on Shiroyama (inside the site).[1]
English signs / audio guide
English signage on site could not be confirmed.
Seasons
Hornets are most active from about July to October. The city asks visitors to leave calmly if they see a nest or hornets nearby.[7]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
The Higashikagawa City Museum of History and Folklore is showing reconstruction illustrations of Hiketa Castle (a rough sketch by the late Kagawa Gentarō and a digital reconstruction) from April 6, 2026 to March 31, 2027 (free). Free volunteer-guided walks of the castle are available if you apply at least two weeks ahead.[6][4]Checked: 2026-10-04
Suggested routes
Hiketa Castle with a volunteer guide 105 min
Choose a meeting point: the harbor-side trailhead (shortest route), Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki (if you want the stamp), or Tsubasa Community Center (for tour buses)
Climb Shiroyama with the guide and tour the enclosures and stone walls
Take in the view of Hiketa town and harbor from the main enclosure
The city says the walk takes about 1.5–2 hours, between 10:00 and 16:00 (the minutes shown are the midpoint). Free; apply at least two weeks ahead. No pick-up service.
A facility in the streets of Hiketa that keeps the Next 100 Castles stamp. Open 10:00–16:00; closed Wednesdays.[3]
Checked: 2026-10-04
Editors' guide
An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.
Who will enjoy it
Good for anyone who loves castles by the sea, is curious about how Toyotomi-era stone walls spread across Japan, or wants a light hike and an old-town stroll in one trip.
What makes it interesting
Start with the old corner walls of the main enclosure and the view of harbor and town. Then see the tall walls of the North Second Enclosure and the big stones at the main gate, and compare them with the wall-less North Bailey to see how an earthwork fort became a stone castle.
Before you go
There are no toilets on Shiroyama. The stamp is kept in town at two places with different closing days (Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki closes Wednesdays, Hiketa Community Center Tuesdays). Leaflets are at the trailhead, Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki, the community center and the history museum. Watch for hornets from summer into autumn.
Ways to enjoy it
Today's trails were laid out in the Taishō era and partly differ from the castle's own routes. Checking the guide map for the presumed main approach and retainers' quarters helps you imagine how people climbed it back then. After coming down, stroll the streets of Hiketa, once the castle town.
Photos
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Open questions
The city tourism site says the castle was closed by the 1615 one-castle order, while the city's guide map chronology says only that it was no longer a castle by 1643.
We could not confirm whether a keep existed. The city says the Taishō-era imaginary drawing gets the enclosure layout roughly right but is not reliable for the buildings.
The story of the Keshō-ike being used for makeup is a tradition.
Parking numbers differ between the guide map and the tourism site. English signage, photo rules and admission at Sanshū Izutsu Yashiki could not be confirmed.
HikaruKinkakujiCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons
