Tsutsujigasaki Palace

Currently, the grounds of this former estate are mostly occupied by the Takeda Shrine. If you are in Kofu and visit the site of Kofu Castle, you might as well visit the Takeda Shrine and these ruins as well.

History

Founded in 1519, this was the home and center of power for three generations of the Takeda (Nobutora, Shingen, and Katsuyori). The Takeda reached their pinnacle under Shingen who actually participated in a revolution that overthrew his father and sent him into exile when he found out that Nobutora was going to make Shingen's brother Nobushige his heir. Shingen is made famous in an old poem that claims "men are your castle, men are your castle walls, men are your moats." This relates the emphasis that Shingen put in his people and during his rein he didn't build any castles beyond the fortification at Tsutsujigasaki.

The picture above is taken from the corner of Nishi Kuruwa (west bailey) looking across the moat of the main compound. You'll notice this isn't called a castle here. It's not called a castle in Japanese either. It's really just a huge heavily fortified mansion or estate. For the time period in which it was originally built it would have surely been an impressive structure.

Field Notes

Currently, the grounds of this former estate are mostly occupied by the Takeda Shrine. If you are in Kofu and visit the site of Kofu Castle, you might as well visit the Takeda Shrine and these ruins as well.

Gallery

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  Miso Kuruwa
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  Miso Kuruwa - Inkyo Kuruwa
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  Miso Bailey Bridge
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  Tsutsujigasaki moat
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  Tsutsujigasaki-kan map
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  Miso Kuruwa
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  Takeda Shingen Statue

Castle Profile
English Name	Tsutsujigasaki Palace
Japanese Name	躑躅ヶ崎館
Alternate Names	Takedashi-yakata
Founder	Takeda Nobutora
Year Founded	1519
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Top 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	water moats, trenches, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	15 minutes bus ride from Kofu Station (Chuo Line)
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates	35.68699, 138.57718
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2003
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2003, 2015, 2017
Admin Visits	November 15, 2003

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