April 2026– date –

Yuzuki Castle (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 80) with our 8-year-old son: a medieval earthen castle of the Kono clan right next to Dogo Onsen. Stamp at the Yuzuki Castle Museum, about 1–1.5 hours.

Iyo-Matsuyama Castle (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 81) with our 8-year-old son: one of the 12 original keeps, with a maze-like connected keep complex and climbing stone walls. Stamp at the keep ticket office, about 2.5 hours using the lift or gondola.

Imabari Castle (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 79) with our 8-year-old son: Todo Takatora's sea castle with seawater moats and roof tiles marked “吹.” Stamp at the keep entrance, about 1–1.5 hours, free for high schoolers and younger.

Marugame Castle (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 78) with our 8-year-old son: Japan's tallest stone walls, an original keep and a stone-drop siege game at the gate. Stamp inside the keep, about 60–90 minutes, free parking.

We visited Takamatsu Castle (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 77) with our 8-year-old son: a sea castle with seawater moats and a single bridge to the main bailey. Stamp at the east/west gate offices, about 1.5 hours, adults ¥200.

A 2-night, 3-day rental-car itinerary with our 8-year-old son through six of Japan's Top 100 Castles in Kagawa and Ehime (Marugame, Takamatsu, Imabari, Iyo-Matsuyama, Yuzuki and Ozu). Time needed and stamp locations, one-way car rental tips, Dormy Inn and Candeo hotels, Sanuki udon and tai-meshi — all in one article.