What other travelers are saying about Wakayama Castle
Good landmark for the first time in Wakayama. The museum will tell you the history here. The view is pretty good when you get the tickets to the top of it. And there is a zoo inside it. The animals are cute.
We need to hike a bit to get to the castle compound. It was not a very big one but still impressive. The collection inside were also interesting. We can visit the deck and enjoy the view of Wakayama city and the sea from up there with a strong breeze. On the ground, they also have a small shop for souvenirs. 410¥ admissionfor adult was very worth to visit.
Wakayama Castle isn’t as famous as Osaka Castle, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less stunning! The ticket’s cheaper, the view from the top is incredible, and since it’s not packed with tourists, the staff here are extra warm and friendly. I almost never tip anywhere, but when I saw a little donation box for the castle, I suddenly felt like giving them all my money 😂
Really happy we visited this as our first Japanese castle. It was extremely peaceful and quiet. I suspect more popular castles can be overly busy, so getting to experience the castle at our own pace was brilliant.
The surrounding grounds are also lovely. Many photo opportunities are present here as the nature is lovely.
An energetic and friendly staff member offered to take our photo free of charge, complete with prop swords!
Finally, the museum inside the castle was really cheap and had lots of great articles.
A relatively small castle compared to other famous castles in Japan. However, it has hidden gems all around. May it be the local neighborhood zoo, the mystical moss covered garden, or the local shop in front of the castle that we spent more money than a famous department store lol. We love local products there so much that we almost can't leave the place. The castle itself is beautiful and the walk is quite easy. There are artifacts from medieval Japan you can check out or even lift it as well.
Wakayama Castle is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM). Adult admission is 410 yen, while children under 18 enter free. The castle is closed from December 29-31 for New Year holidays.
From JR Wakayama Station, take bus route 0 or 25 to Koen-mae bus stop (10 minutes, 230 yen). Alternatively, it's a 20-minute walk from the station. From Nankai Wakayamashi Station, it's a 10-minute walk to the castle grounds.
The best time to see cherry blossoms at Wakayama Castle is early to mid-April when approximately 600 sakura trees bloom in the castle park. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival typically runs from late March to early May with night illuminations.
Wakayama Castle features a reconstructed main keep with museum exhibits about the Tokugawa family history, samurai artifacts, and castle architecture. The top floor offers panoramic views of Wakayama city and Wakayama Bay. The castle grounds include beautiful gardens and historical gates.
A complete visit to Wakayama Castle typically takes 2-3 hours including the castle keep interior, gardens, and walking the grounds. Allow extra time during cherry blossom season or if you plan to explore the nearby Wakayama Park and surrounding historical sites.
