Shinpu Castle

The views of the surrounding mountains and scenery make for a nice walk from the station, but it may not be worth the trip unless you're in the area with much time to spare.

History

Takeda Katsuyori built Shinpu Castle in order to increase the defenses of his territory under the continual threat posed by Nobunaga and Tokugawa forces in the area. The area where Shinpu Castle is located was the most central location of all their lands at the time and Katsuyori envisioned creating a new castle town such that he even ordered his retainers to move their homes here. It is ironic that his plans may have actually wekaened his overall defensive position and quickened the fateful fall of the Takeda clan. After a suffering terrible defeat to Nobunaga forces at Suwa, Takeda Katsuyori's forces retreated back to Shinpu Castle. By this time his forces had dwindled from over 20,000 to a mere 3,000 men. On March 3, 1582 Katsuyori set fire to Shinpu Castle and fled with his remaining 300-400 men. By March 11, all of the remaining Takeda forces had been destroyed and the days of the Takeda clan came to an end.

Field Notes

The views of the surrounding mountains and scenery make for a nice walk from the station, but it may not be worth the trip unless you're in the area with much time to spare.

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Gallery

Otemon Gate
Typical entrance to the Honmaru but go by the path to the left.
Obikuruwa Bailey
Obikuruwa
First masugata box gate of the Otemon Gate.
Map of the main gate
First masugata you encounter
Mikazuki Trench
Masugata gate of the Otemon gate
Masugata gate entrance
Looking from the corner of the masugata to the umadashi
Small bailey that overlooks the Otemon Gate
Sannomaru Bailey
Umadashi Bailey
Ninomaru Bailey entrance
Ninomaru Bailey
Ninomaru Bailey
Ninomaru Bailey
Ninomaru Bailey
View from the Honmaru Bailey
Honmaru Bailey
Honmaru Bailey
Remains of a water moat and retaining walls
Inari Bailey
Big spider. These are everywhere in the summer.
Map
Map
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Shinpu Castle
Japanese Name	新府城
Founder	Takeda Katsuyori
Year Founded	1581
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Next 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shinpu Station (Chuo Line), 15 minute walk
Hours
Time Required
Location	Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates	35.73551, 138.42483
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2003
Admin Year Visited	2003
Admin Visits	November 15, 2003

3.00

(6 votes)

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