Ninomaru Sawaguchi Tamon-yagura (二の丸沢口多聞櫓)
Important Cultural Property — Edo period
The Sawaguchi entrance (沢口) was one of four gateways through the castle's middle moat (中堀, nakabori). It stood along the approach lined with the famous Iroha-matsu pines (いろは松), which led directly to the castle. Originally, the entrance was guarded by a Kōraimon gate (高麗門), while a Yaguramon gate (櫓門) stood further inside at a right angle. The passage beneath the turret formed a defensive, zigzag approach that forced visitors and potential attackers to change direction before entering the inner precincts. Such arrangements were a common feature of Edo-period castle design, intended to strengthen the castle's defences while controlling access to the grounds.
