Mar 15, 2014 - 1 min read

Kishiwada Castle

The Stone Garden of Chikiri Park

By Bonson Lam

Community writer

The Silent Stone Steps that winds its way to the main building at Kishiwada Castle

Glimpses of Kishiwada Castle as you approach from the street

Reflections of Kishiwada Castle on the moat

Kishiwada Castle has a beautiful strolling garden and makes a great day trip from Osaka or Kansai Airport

Kishiwada Castle is surrounded by old streets filled with merchant houses and makes a great day trip from Osaka or Kansai Airport

The Stone Garden in Kishiwada Castle brings together the present and the past in a symbolic way. It was designed by Mirei Shigemori; a famous architect and designer who also built the Kokuan tea house in Kyoto. The stone garden represents the hardness of fortification, as well as the eight pointed battleground formation from an ancient Chinese general. Its geometric lines may seem jarring, but to some, it looks like a cave painting. See it for yourself. Kishiwada Castle is accessible from Takajizo Nankai Railway Station, making it an easy trip from Kansai International Airport. Two stops up from Takajizo is Haruki, home to La Park Kispa Entertainment and Shopping Center and Tokori Bowl.

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By Bonson Lam

Community writer

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Bonson Lam Photographer 9 years ago

Ah, Hikone Castle! I went there a long time ago, and yes they look alike, though you could pop into Kishiwada on a layover at Kansai Airport. The castle looks bigger actually from the other side of the moat, it is almost like a optical illusion for any potential invaders, making it more formidable. Amazingly actually!