Kochi Castle

(Source : 日本の城歩き)

Kochi Castle stands in the heart of the City of Kochi. It is the only castle in Japan that has all the original buildings of Honmaru that constitutes the core of the castle. There is an elegant central tower that is one of the 12 existing wooden towers, and 15 buildings of the castle are designated as National Important Cultural Properties. Honmaru Goten (palace) remains in the original configuration, and visitors can tour its interior. The castle also retains unique defense structures including shinobi-gaeshi and ishi-otoshi.

(Source: 日本の城歩き)

Precious Honmaru Goten

Only Kochi Castle retains all of the buildings of Honmaru including the castle tower and the palace of the Honmaru Goten which is the core of the castle. Visitors can tour the interior and glimpse into past life in the castle. The construction of the castle took ten years starting in 1601 and is displayed in a diorama.

(Source: 三十路男の隠れ家)

The Imposing Otemon

Otemon is a main gate of the castle. The imposing gate is made of stone walls and an impressive turret on top. The gate is surrounded by moats and can be defended from three directions. It is very rare to be able to see the main gate and the castle tower together, making it a very popular place for shooting photos.

(Source: ちゃりメラマン / PIXTA)

Defense Structures: Shinobi-Gaeshi and Ishi-Otoshi

The rare defense structures of Kochi Castle, shinobi-gaeshi and ishi-otoshi, are still perfectly intact. Shinobi-gaeshi is a spiked fence that keeps enemies from entering the castle. Ishi-otoshi is a small opening from which rocks and boiling water can be thrown as well as being used as a defensive position with spears.