Sightseeing information
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A castle town blessed with history, nature, and art
With 4 different art mueseums to choose from, Marugame City offers both culture and sightseeing.
Once the residence of the feudal Lord of the Kyogoku Clan, the Marugame Castle area and surrounding town were undamaged by war. As a result, traces of the old town can still be seen today here in Marugame, a castle town surrounded by blue sea and filled with history.
Take a stroll around town and take in scenes of poetic, historic beauty; or, visit the 3 major art museums.
※In addition to the sightseeing spots listed below, Marugame City is full of things to see and do!
Kagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum
The Kagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum was opened after the bereaved family of the celebrated landscape painter donated 270 of his works to Kagawa Prefecture. His grandfather born in Sakaide, Hitsuijijima, Higashiyama Kaii shared a deep connection with the area. The museum was established so that these donated works could be widely appreciated by people from all over. Decorated in the light gray color suggested by Higashiyama himself for the Great Seto Bridge that can be seen outside, filled with the romantic atmosphre of the historic Manyo period, and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Seto Inland Sea, the museum is place that truly soothes the soul.
Marugame Genichiro Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art
This collection boasts nearly 20,000 works by the late master painter and Kagawa native son Genichiro Inokuma.
※All of the pictures in the guest rooms are Inokuma original design for handkerchiefs.
Nakazu Banshoen Marugame Museum of Art
This museum is still standing more than 300 years after 2nd generation feudal lord Takatoyo of the Kyogku clan, toiled to have it built in 1688. It boasts a 15,000-tsubo (49,650 square meter) garden with a winding path, the center of which lies a pond modeled after Lake Biwa in the Kyogoku clan's birthplace of the Omi kingdom, with eight islands floating in it to represent the Eight Views of Omi.
The view from the vermillion-lacquered Yogetsu Bridge is exceptional. Inside the garden, guests will find an art gallery displaying works by the likes of Millet and Corot; a doll display featuring a collection of traditional Japanese dolls; and a pottery exhibit showcasing Persian pottery and other works.
Marugame Castle
Japan's tallest stone castle wall enshrines 400 yeas of history, here at Marugame Castle. Look up from the main gate to view the majestic donjon, which in twilight creates a graceful air that calms the heart.
Still a vivid sight after 400 years, the particular beauty in harmony with nature can still be seen today. Chosen for its height and beauty as one of the "100 Castles of Japan" by the Foundation for Japanese Castles Associaction, Marugame Castle is loved by local townspeople as a favorite place to stroll about or to relax and gaze at cherry blossoms.