Kinsui Castle: A Castle Protected by River and Sea
Tanabe Castle was built near the mouth of the Aizu River, at the southwestern edge of what is now central Tanabe. Its location between the river and the sea made effective use of the natural landscape as part of the castle’s defenses.
The castle’s alternative name, Kinsui Castle, is traditionally said to have been inspired by the beautiful waterscape surrounding it. Although its primary purpose was military, its location beside the calm river and coastal scenery also gave the castle an attractive setting.
During the Edo period, the castle complex was equipped with inner and outer moats, while a carefully planned castle town developed around it. Most of the moats were eventually filled in, but traces of the former castle town can still be found in the layout and place names of the surrounding streets.
The Construction and History of Tanabe Castle
The Castle Built by the Asano Clan
Several fortifications existed in the Tanabe area before the construction of Tanabe Castle. During the period of the Yugawa clan, Tomari Castle was established, followed by Uenoyama Castle during the period of the Sugiwaka clan and Suzaki Castle under the Asano clan.
Suzaki Castle was severely damaged by powerful waves in 1605. The following year, in 1606, Asano Tomochika, a senior retainer of the Asano family who governed Kii Province at the time, constructed a new castle near the mouth of the Aizu River.
The location was advantageous both for transportation and defense, allowing the new castle to become an important base in the southern part of Kii Province.
The Andō Clan and the Tanabe Domain
In 1619, Andō Naotsugu entered Tanabe as a senior retainer of the Kii Tokugawa family. From that time until the Meiji period, the Andō clan governed the area from Tanabe.
The Tanabe Domain had a kokudaka of approximately 38,800 koku. A koku was a traditional unit used to estimate agricultural production and the economic strength of a domain, based primarily on the amount of rice that could theoretically be produced.
Following the Tokugawa shogunate’s One Castle per Province policy, Tanabe Castle was remodeled without a large traditional keep and took on the character of a fortified administrative residence, or jin’ya. Nevertheless, the site continued to possess substantial defensive features and functioned as the political center of the Tanabe Domain.
Coastal Defense and the Final Years of the Castle
From the late 18th century onward, the appearance of foreign ships in Japanese waters increased concerns about coastal defense. In 1791, an American vessel arrived near Kii Ōshima, prompting greater attention to the defense of the Kii coastline.
Tanabe Castle was subsequently strengthened. During renovations in 1831, walls were added along the earthen defensive embankments, together with openings that could be used for firearms.
In 1863, near the end of the Edo period, plans were even considered to relocate the castle because of fears of an attack by foreign ships. However, the proposed relocation was never carried out.
Demolition After the Meiji Restoration
Following the Meiji Restoration, the abolition of the domains and establishment of prefectures in 1871 brought an end to the Tanabe Domain. Tanabe Castle was consequently abandoned, and its buildings were dismantled while many of the moats were gradually filled in.
Residential areas were later developed across the former castle site. The historical name Kinsui Town remains as a reminder of the castle’s former identity.
Today, the surviving stone walls and water gate are among the few visible remains of the former castle.
The Surviving Tanabe Castle Water Gate
One of the most significant surviving features of Tanabe Castle is the Tanabe Castle Water Gate Site.
Located along the Aizu River, the stone walls and remains of the water gate mark an important part of the castle’s former waterway system. The gate provided an entrance connecting the castle to the river and played an important role in both transportation and defense.
Although only the stonework remains today, its position beside the quiet river allows visitors to imagine how the castle once interacted with the surrounding waterways.
The area around the ruins has been developed as a park, making it an enjoyable place to walk while learning about Tanabe’s history. The riverside scenery is particularly attractive in the late afternoon, when the changing light creates beautiful reflections on the water.
A Carefully Planned Castle Town
The town surrounding Tanabe Castle was systematically developed alongside the castle. Because Tanabe was an important gateway to the Kumano region, travelers and merchants passed through the town on their way toward the Nakahechi and Ohechi routes of the Kumano Kodo.
The castle town was designed with defense in mind. Streets were deliberately arranged with T-shaped intersections, making it more difficult for potential enemies to move directly through the town.
Some traces of this historic urban planning can still be found in the present-day street layout.
Honmachi
Honmachi developed as the central area of Tanabe and was one of the first parts of the castle town to be established. During the Meiji period, government offices were located here, and it became an important political and commercial center.
Fukurocho
The area now known as Fukurocho is traditionally associated with a pouch-like or enclosed street layout, from which its name is believed to have originated.
In the past, many fish shops were located in the area. Traditional food businesses, including kamaboko shops, can still be found in the neighborhood.
Kon’yamachi
Kon’yamachi was historically associated with dyers and textile craftsmen. Its name preserves a reference to the traditional industries that once flourished in the castle town.
Egawaura
Egawaura developed as a fishing community and had already functioned as an important settlement before Tanabe Castle was constructed.
Even today, the area retains a strong connection with the sea and provides another perspective on the coastal character of historic Tanabe.
Things to See Around the Former Castle Site
The area around Tanabe Castle offers several opportunities to explore the city’s history on foot. A walk along the Aizu River is an enjoyable way to visit the surviving water gate ruins and stone walls while taking in the riverside scenery.
The surrounding neighborhoods also contain historic sites connected with the Kumano Kodo and traces of the old castle town. Walking through these streets allows visitors to discover how Tanabe developed as an important gateway to the sacred Kumano region.
The former castle site is also conveniently located within walking distance of Kii-Tanabe Station, making it an easy historical stop for travelers exploring the city.
Discover the History of Tanabe
Tanabe Castle played an important role in the political, military, and commercial development of southern Wakayama. Although the large castle buildings have disappeared, the surviving water gate and stone walls preserve fragments of more than 400 years of history.
The castle’s relationship with the Aizu River, the sea, and the Kumano pilgrimage routes helps explain why Tanabe became such an important center in the region.
For travelers exploring the Kumano Kodo, visiting the former castle site provides an opportunity to see another side of Tanabe—not only as a gateway to Kumano, but also as a historic castle town shaped by samurai government, commerce, transportation, and coastal defense.
Access
Location
1-chome Uwayashiki, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
By Train
The former castle site is approximately a 15-minute walk from Kii-Tanabe Station on the JR Kisei Main Line, also known as the Kinokuni Line.
By Car
From the Nanki-Tanabe Interchange on the Hanwa Expressway, the site is approximately 5 minutes by car via National Route 42. Several parking facilities are available in the surrounding urban area.
A Historic Castle Site on the Way to Kumano
Today, Tanabe Castle may survive mainly through its stone walls, water gate, street layout, and place names, but these remnants provide valuable clues to the city’s rich past.
Combined with a visit to the Kumano Kodo and other historic sites in Tanabe, a walk around the former castle grounds is a rewarding way to understand the history of this important gateway to southern Wakayama.
For anyone interested in Japanese castles, samurai history, historic townscapes, and the Kumano pilgrimage tradition, Tanabe Castle is a fascinating destination to include in a visit to Tanabe.