Tokushima Castle Ruins - Tokushima, Japan
Tokushima Castle Ruins sit on Shiroyama Hill, just a short walk from Tokushima Station. I’ve been to Tokushima several times before, but this was my first visit — and I was glad I finally made the stop. Even with only a couple of hours before my train, I decided to explore the site.
The trails leading up the hill weren’t clearly marked, so I simply followed the path that looked like it went uphill. It turned out to be the right choice — at the top, I reached the area where the castle once stood. From there, I enjoyed a wide view of Tokushima City, even under cloudy skies.
After wandering around the ruins, I took another trail down into the park below. The castle grounds and the Omotegoten Garden have been designated a National Historic Site since 1957. There’s also a Castle Museum nearby, though it happened to be closed on the day of my visit.
Even so, it was a peaceful and worthwhile stop — a quiet place to reflect on Tokushima’s history before heading back to the station to catch my train.
History & Background
Tokushima Castle (徳島城) was built in the late 16th century by Hachisuka Iemasa, a feudal lord under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Once the seat of the powerful Hachisuka clan, it was largely dismantled during the Meiji era, but the moats and stone walls still hint at its former grandeur. Today, the site is part of Tokushima Central Park — a peaceful green space where you can explore the ruins, visit the Tokushima Castle Museum, and enjoy cherry blossoms in spring.
Getting There
Tokushima Castle Ruins are located just behind Tokushima Station, making them easy to visit once you arrive in the city.
The fastest way to get to Tokushima is by flying from Tokyo to Tokushima Airport (about 75 minutes), then taking a 25-minute bus or taxi to the station. From Osaka, a highway bus takes around 2.5 hours, or you can travel via train to Wakayama and continue by ferry to Tokushima for a more scenic route.
If you prefer a unique journey, take the overnight Ocean Tokyu Ferry from Tokyo to Tokushima — a relaxing and memorable way to reach Shikoku. Read more about my experience on the Ocean Tokyu Ferry here.
From Tokushima Station, it’s just a five-minute walk to Tokushima Castle Ruins inside Tokushima Central Park (Chuo Koen).
Route Overview
Distance: 3.11 km out & back (Tokushima Station)
Total elevation gain: 68 m
Duration: 41 min (with breaks 45 min)
Difficulty: Easy
Cost Breakdown
Food: ¥1,255
