Kishiwada Castle to Myself

Posted on April 10, 2007 by Adam R.

I decided to visit Kishiwada Castle, which is located at Kishiwada City in Osaka as on my last departure I had shot past it in the train to Kansai airport and had no idea it was even there previously. Probably because my flights always seem to arrive at night that is why I had not noticed it when I arrived in Japan.

So I travel First Hotel, a few stations away from Kishiwada Castle in Izumisano city to stay the night. Up in the morning I grab a train for the three minute ride to Takojizo Station which is the closest to Kishiwada Castle Park.

Off the train at Takojizo Station and I make my way closer and closer to the burgeoning castle, to find I have taken the longest way around the castles moat to get to the entrance. The silver lining was now I had a lot more photo opportunities but one thing strikes me, there is not one soul in the whole caste park apart from myself.

After crossing the bridge over the moat and my quick accent up the stairs I arrive to an amazing site, a huge stone garden in the courtyard sitting in the shadow of Kishiwada Castle. Still I have not seen one other person which, in a way, is a nice change from my visit to Osaka Castle a few days before, Osaka Castle was so crowded I was checking my calendar to double check it was not Golden WeekAnnual holiday. Period containing Showa Day, Consitution Memorial Day, People's Day, and Children's Day. .

On paying my 200 yen entrance fee to the lady inside Kishiwada Castle reception, I began to browse the various levels which is like being inside a museum. Again not a soul about and all to myself, I view various Japanese armour "Yoroi", real swords "shinken" and various other treasures and relics from the castle. The only drawback is you're not allowed to take photographs of all the good stuff and this is common inside a lot of Castles I have been to in Japan. Normally you are sort of pushed along by the crowds inside a castle so you can not spend the time you really want to looking at your favourite items in the glass display cases.

This day was different as I had the place to myself and two hours in my budget to spend wandering around. On arriving at the top floor of the castle I felt like it was my own private penthouse. I spent about thirty minutes taking in all the views from the viewing platform and trying to match up the present day landscape to the boundaries of the old castle town on the map on my brochure.

With a separate small museum opposite to the castle on the other side of the stone garden you can spend a good two hours on your visit to Kishiwada Castle. With Takojizo Station only about five minutes walk away from the Castle this small but stunning Castle is a definite site to visit. Closed on Mondays, but open 10:00am to 5:00pm with last entry at 4:00pm.