Japan Castle Atlas日本のお城アトラス
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The main and small keeps on Torafusu-yama hill, July 2021. They burned in a 1945 air raid and were rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1958.
SuicasmoCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Wakayama · Wakayama

Wakayama Castle

和歌山城

Wakayama, Wakayama

CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 62

What makes this castle distinctive

A covered bridge with a roof and walls crosses the moat at a slant, built so the lord and the women of his household could pass unseen.

Why?

Ohashi Roka links the ninomaru, where the lord lived, with the nishinomaru, where he enjoyed his garden. The two banks are at different heights, so the bridge slopes, and it is roofed and walled so no one outside could see who crossed. Wakayama City calls a sloping corridor bridge like this rare in Japan. It was rebuilt in 2006 from Edo-period drawings, and today you can walk across it.[2][9]

Three things not to miss

01
Ohashi Roka seen from the side, December 2008. The banks are at different heights, so the bridge slopes.663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons

Ohashi Roka, the sloping covered bridge

Where
Over the moat between the ninomaru (second enclosure) and the nishinomaru, where Nishinomaru Garden is.
What to look at
The slope of the bridge, and the floorboards set in a saw-tooth pattern so feet would not slip.
Why it's interesting
This was a private bridge for the lord, his attendants and the women of the inner palace to go between the two enclosures. The roof and walls kept off wind and rain and hid them from view. It was rebuilt in 2006 from Edo-period drawings.[2][3]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideYou can walk through it. Free; 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45).
02
Okaguchi-mon gate, August 2025. Built by the Tokugawa family in 1621, it survived the air raid and is an Important Cultural Property.SuikoteiCC BY 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Okaguchi-mon, the gate that survived the air raid

Where
The southeast entrance to the castle.
What to look at
The two-story gatehouse (yagura-mon) and the earthen wall that runs north from it.
Why it's interesting
It was the main gate when the castle was first built, then became the rear gate partway through the Asano family's rule. The present gate was built by the Tokugawa family in 1621 and is one of the few Edo-period buildings that escaped the air raid. Together with its earthen wall, it is an Important Cultural Property.[1][2]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleYou can walk through and view it from outside. Whether the upper floor is ever open could not be confirmed.
03

Stone walls that change with each era

Where
All around the grounds, including along the slopes up to the keep and around the honmaru (main enclosure).
What to look at
The difference between walls of greenish natural stone stacked as found, walls of roughly split stone, and walls of precisely cut blocks. Also look for marks carved into the stones.
Why it's interesting
Each new ruler, from Toyotomi Hidenaga to the Asano family and then the Tokugawa, enlarged the castle, and the stone and building methods changed each time. You can trace the evolution of wall-building in a single castle. The official website offers a stone wall walking map.[10][9]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideFree to see as you walk around the park.

At a glance for visitors

Nearest station
from JR Wakayama Station (Central Exit)
Climb
Some climbing
Time neededEditors' estimate
The official estimate is at least 1.5 hours to visit the keep via Nishinomaru Garden and Ohashi Roka and return the same way. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours if you add the history museum (editorial estimate).
Admission
Adults 410 yen; elementary and junior high students 200 yen. Group discounts for 30 or more. Free for elementary and junior high students on Saturdays.
Hours
9:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00)
Access
Open to visitors

Wakayama Castle Park can be walked at any hour, including at night. The keep requires a ticket. Nishinomaru Garden and Ohashi Roka are free but have set hours. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is in the keep.

Checked:

View on mapOpen in Google MapsWakayama Castle official websiteAdmission and hours (Japanese)

The story of this castle

01
Historical record

Hideyoshi's order at the mouth of the Kinokawa

In 1585, after bringing the Kishu region (today's Wakayama Prefecture) under control, Hashiba (later Toyotomi) Hideyoshi ordered his younger brother Hidenaga to build a castle on a hill called Okayama near the mouth of the Kinokawa River, the hill now known as Torafusu-yama. That was the beginning of Wakayama Castle. Hidenaga soon moved to Koriyama Castle, and his retainer Kuwayama Shigeharu took charge here.[1]

02
Historical record

The Asano family adds the keep and the town

After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Asano Yoshinaga became lord with a domain (han) of 376,000 koku. The Asano family built a renritsu-style keep, in which the main keep (tenshu) and turrets (yagura) are linked in a ring, and laid out residences in the main, second and west enclosures. They moved the main gate from Okaguchi-mon to the Ichi-no-hashi side and built the castle town.[1][2]

03
Historical record

Home of one of the three senior Tokugawa branches

In 1619, Tokugawa Yorinobu, the tenth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, arrived with a 555,000-koku domain, founding the Kishu domain. With funds from the shogunate he began a major rebuilding in 1621, extending the second enclosure westward and creating two new enclosures, Sunanomaru and Minaminomaru. The Kishu Tokugawa were one of the three senior branches (gosanke) of the shogun's family.[1][2]

04
Historical record

A keep rebuilt by special permission

In 1798 the keep's black wooden siding was replaced with white plaster walls, but in 1846 lightning struck and it burned down. At the time, building a keep was tightly restricted, but as one of the three senior Tokugawa houses the family was given special permission, and in 1850 the keep was rebuilt almost exactly as before.[1][2]

05
Historical record

A National Treasure lost in the air raid

The keep was named a National Treasure in 1935. Photographs show that during the war its white walls were covered with straw matting so they would not stand out as a bombing target. Even so, it burned in the Wakayama air raid on the night of July 9–10, 1945. Okaguchi-mon gate survived and still stands as an Edo-period structure.[1][2]

06
Historical record

Rebuilt in 1958, and the gates and bridge restored

Answering residents' wishes, the keep was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1958; the city says the exterior was recreated exactly as it looked before the air raid. The main gate, Ote-mon, which collapsed in 1909, was rebuilt in 1982, and Ohashi Roka in 2006. In 2015 the Wakayama History Museum opened in the park to introduce the castle's story.[2][1][9]

People of this castle

Timeline

  1. On Hideyoshi's orders, Toyotomi Hidenaga begins building on Torafusu-yama[1]

  2. Asano Yoshinaga becomes lord[1]

  3. Tokugawa Yorinobu arrives, founding the Kishu domain[1]

  4. The keep, burned by lightning in 1846, is rebuilt[1][2]

  5. The National Treasure keep burns in the July air raid[1][2]

  6. The keep is rebuilt in reinforced concrete[1][2]

  7. Ohashi Roka is rebuilt[1][2]

Buildings and remains

The keep today

Exterior restored

Burned in 1945 and rebuilt in 1958 in reinforced concrete (the Japan Castle Foundation lists it as a three-story tiered keep, reinforced concrete with some wood). The city says the exterior was recreated just as it was before the air raid. The large and small keeps, turrets and gates are linked by long tamon turrets in a ring.

The site today

The main and second enclosures form Wakayama Castle Park, with the keep, the Wakayama History Museum, Nishinomaru Garden and a small zoo. The former outer enclosure is now the city center, home to the prefectural and city offices.

Main buildings

Exterior restored

Main and small keeps, with the turrets and gates around them

Burned in 1945, rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1958. Exhibits inside.[1][2]

OriginalImportant Cultural Property

Okaguchi-mon gate and earthen wall

Built by the Tokugawa family in 1621; survived the air raid. Designated in 1957.[1][2]

Original

Oimawashi-mon gate

An original Edo-period gate. Repairs showed it was once painted red.[9]

Modern reconstruction

Ote-mon gate and Ichi-no-hashi bridge

The gate collapsed in 1909 and was rebuilt in 1982.[2]

Rebuilt in wood

Ohashi Roka (covered bridge)

Rebuilt in wood in 2006 from Edo-period drawings; open to walk through.[2][9]

Key facts

Type
Castle
Setting
Hilltop castle (hirayamajiro)built on a low hill rising from the plainEditorial article
Period
Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Exterior restoredthe outside follows historical records; the inside is a modern building, often a museumEditorial article
Built by
Tokugawa Yorinobu, Toyotomi Hidenaga (Hashiba Hidenaga), Asano YoshinagaJapan Castle Foundation
Built
1585Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Tokugawa clan, Toyotomi clan, Hashiba clan, Asano clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1871Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Gates, Stone walls, Moats, Turrets or turret bases, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation
National Historic Site (Wakayama Castle) (1931); Important Cultural Property (Okaguchi-mon) (1957); Place of Scenic Beauty (Nishinomaru Garden / Momijidani Garden) (1985)Editorial article
Selection
Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 62Japan Castle Foundation

Visiting

Access

Open to visitors

Wakayama Castle Park can be walked at any hour, including at night. The keep requires a ticket. Nishinomaru Garden and Ohashi Roka are free but have set hours. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is in the keep.

Address

Ichibancho, Wakayama City, Wakayama[9]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Nearest stations and how to get there

JR Wakayama Station (Central Exit)JR Hanwa Line, Kisei Line and others

Some climbing

Take a Wakayama Bus bound for Wakayama Castle (routes 0, 25 and others) from the station, about 10 minutes, and get off at Wakayama-jo-mae; the castle is right there.[4]

Checked: 2026-10-03
Wakayamashi Station (Nankai)Nankai Main Line

about 15 min walk · Some climbing

About 15 minutes on foot, or about 5 minutes by Wakayama Bus to Shiyakusho-mae. Reaching the keep means climbing slopes and stone steps.[4][5]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Hours and admission

Wakayama Castle keep
Hours
9:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00)
Closed
December 29–31
Admission
Adults 410 yen; elementary and junior high students 200 yen. Group discounts for 30 or more. Free for elementary and junior high students on Saturdays.[3]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Wakayama History Museum (2nd-floor exhibition room)
Hours
9:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00)
Closed
December 29–31
Admission
Adults (including high school students) 100 yen; free for elementary and junior high students. Combined tickets with the keep are available.[3]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Nishinomaru Garden (Momijidani Garden)
Hours
9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45)
Closed
December 29–31
Admission
Free[3]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Ohashi Roka (covered bridge)
Hours
9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45)
Closed
December 29–31
Admission
Free[3]
Checked: 2026-10-03

By car / parking

About 5.5 km and 15 minutes from Wakayama IC on the Hanwa Expressway. There is a paid parking lot inside the park (entrance on the south side, open 24 hours) and a bus lot that cannot be reserved. It gets crowded on weekends, in cherry blossom and autumn leaf season, and during events.[4][5]

Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
The park is open to walk at night, with illuminations such as the Corridor of Light.[5]Checked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
The official estimate is at least 1.5 hours to visit the keep via Nishinomaru Garden and Ohashi Roka and return the same way. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours if you add the history museum (editorial estimate).
Steps, slopes and footing
Three slopes lead to the keep: Omote-zaka (about 300 m, 70 steps) is the gentlest, Ura-zaka (about 225 m, 79 steps) is in between, and Shin-ura-zaka (about 130 m, 102 steps) is the steepest. Allow 15–30 minutes on foot from the bus parking lot to the keep.[5]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the history museum (1st floor) and the car park, one at each. For visitors who have trouble walking, the Omotenashi Ninja staff offer a support service using power-assisted wheelchairs from the foot of Omote-zaka up to the plaza in front of the keep (not on Mondays and Tuesdays except holidays; no help inside the keep; may be canceled due to weather).[5][6]Checked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Accessible toilets are at the park car park (with ostomate facilities), the tour bus lot, the 2nd floor of the history museum (with ostomate facilities) and near Okaguchi-mon.[5]
English signs / audio guide
The official website offers automatic translation and a downloadable multilingual pamphlet. English signage inside the keep is not confirmed.[11]
Seasons
Cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in Nishinomaru Garden are highlights, and the castle is lit up at night.[5][2]
Photography
The official site recommends the plaza in front of the keep, the honmaru site and the photo spot on Keyaki-odori avenue, where you can frame the keep with Ohashi Roka and its reflection in the moat. Photo rules inside the keep are not confirmed.[5]
Works, closures and restrictions
The keep will be closed all day on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, for cleaning.[7]Checked: 2026-10-03

Editors' guide

An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.

Who will enjoy it

Good for travelers who want a castle in the middle of town, a short bus ride from the station, and for anyone who enjoys gardens and gates as much as the keep. The park is open at night, so it works even if you arrive in the evening.

What makes it interesting

Start by walking across Ohashi Roka and feeling the slope and saw-tooth floor under your feet. Then compare Okaguchi-mon, which survived the war, with the keep rebuilt in 1958 to see what the castle lost and what it kept. On the way up, look for the changing styles of stone walls.

Before you go

Today's keep is a 1958 reinforced-concrete reconstruction. Reaching it involves slopes and stone steps; Omote-zaka is the easiest. The keep closes December 29–31 and on occasional extra days, so check the official notices before you go.

Ways to enjoy it

Before going in, look from the Keyaki-odori photo spot at Ohashi Roka and the keep reflected in the moat; it makes the layout easy to follow when you cross the bridge later. Carrying the official stone wall map is also a good idea.

Photos

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Open questions

Sources

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    和歌山城の生い立ち和歌山市(史跡 和歌山城 公式サイト)officialChecked:
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    和歌山城(補助資料)Wikipedia日本語版otherChecked:
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    城内マップ(石垣散策マップ)和歌山市(史跡 和歌山城 公式サイト)officialChecked:
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Listing status

  1. Candidate foundChecked
  2. Confirmed as a castle siteChecked
  3. Basic informationChecked
  4. In-depth articleChecked
  5. Photo rights checkedChecked
  6. Visit info checkedChecked

Castles nearby

Kii Okayama Castle0.6 km · Not yet confirmedŌta Castle2.4 km · No keep recordedKii Akizuki Castle3.1 km · Not yet confirmedKii Nakano Castle4 km · Not yet confirmedSaika Castle4.4 km · No keep recordedSaikazaki Castle4.8 km · Not yet confirmed

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