Marugame Castle and Chichibugahama Sunset Course

From Marugame Castle with its original tower to Chichibugahama, popular for mirror-like photos, this course tours the highlights of western Kagawa. You can enjoy a historic stroll and a stunning sunset in one day. The appeal is combining two very different views: the castles stone walls and a seaside sunset.

Course Route

10:00 Start at Marugame Castle Head to Marugame Castle, known for its tall stone walls. Climb the slope while gazing up at the walls toward the tower. The walls seen from the third bailey are impressive.

11:00 The tower and the view over the town Tour the surviving three-story tower and enjoy the view over the Seto Inland Sea and Sanuki Fuji (Mount Iino). Tower viewing hours are roughly 9:00 to 16:30, admission is around 400 yen for adults, and it is free for middle school students and younger.

12:30 Lunch in central Marugame Head into the town below the castle and have local flavors such as Sanuki udon and honetsuki-dori chicken for lunch. Marugame is also known as the birthplace of honetsuki-dori.

14:30 Move to Chichibugahama Head west along the coast to reach Chichibugahama in Mitoyo City. Moving from Marugame to Chichibugahama is convenient by car, and you can stroll the wide sandy beach.

17:00 Sunset over the low-tide mirror When low tide meets dusk, enjoy the stunning scene of water left on the beach reflecting the sky to close the day. A tripod makes it easier to take photos that use the reflective surface.

Highlights

Marugame Castle is famous for the total height of its stone walls, said to be among the tallest in Japan, which curve gracefully in what is called a fan slope. The view from the tower is exceptional as well. Chichibugahama is known for its low-tide water mirror that reflects the sky, allowing dreamlike photos.

Access and Tips

Marugame Castle is within walking distance of JR Marugame Station, so you can walk from the station to the castle. Reaching Chichibugahama is convenient by car. To catch the water-mirror scenery, check the tide table in advance for when low tide overlaps with sunset.

Practical Travel Notes

• Marugame Castle tower viewing hours are roughly 9:00 to 16:30 (last entry 16:00), admission is around 400 yen for adults, and it is free for middle school students and younger. Slopes and steps continue up to the tower, so comfortable shoes are reassuring.
• Entering the castle grounds themselves is free, and you can stroll the stone walls and moat. Only viewing inside the tower is paid.
• The water mirror at Chichibugahama is best when low tide overlaps with sunset. Check both the tide table and the sunset time, and arrive by working backward from them.
• Chichibugahama has parking and nearby facilities, but the sunset hours get crowded, so arriving early is reassuring.
• Sunset comes early in winter and late in summer. Note that the timing of the evening scene shifts greatly by season.

A Quick Tip

The water mirror at Chichibugahama depends on the timing of low tide and dusk. The calmer the wind, the cleaner the reflection, so checking the weather forecast is reassuring. When pairing it with Marugame Castle, allotting the afternoon to the Chichibugahama sunset makes the schedule work out well.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Ote Ichi-no-mon Gate (Marugame Castle): Separately from the keep, the surviving Ote Ichi-no-mon Gate is also open to the public free of charge from 9:00 to 16:30
• Closing days (Marugame Castle): There are no regular closing days. However, it may close temporarily when a weather warning is in force, for facility inspections or construction work, or when an event is being held
• Note on fees (Marugame Castle keep): Groups of 20 or more get a 20 percent discount, and Marugame residents aged 65 and over and people with physical disabilities are admitted free of charge. As well as cash, credit cards, transport IC cards and QR code payment are accepted
• Parking (Marugame Castle): There is a free car park with about 50 spaces on the south side of the museum within the castle grounds, available from 6:00 to 19:00 (subject to change during events). On the north moat side there is free space for around 5 large buses
• Parking (Chichibugahama Beach): About 300 spaces, free of charge for ordinary vehicles. Large buses (50 seats or more) cost 2,500 yen, medium buses (25 seats or more) 1,000 yen, and small buses are free of charge
• Enquiries: 0877-85-5852 (Marugame City Tourism Association / Marugame Castle keep), 0877-23-2107 (Marugame City Cultural Property Preservation and Utilization Division) / 0875-56-5880 (Mitoyo City Tourism Exchange Bureau, 10:30 to sunset, telephone reception until 17:30)
• Official information: the Marugame Castle page of the official Marugame City website, and the official Mitoyo City Tourism Exchange Bureau website

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Hours and fees may change, so please check the official information before you set out.