Hamamatsu Castle

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Hamamatsu Castle sometimes gets a bad reputation for the poorly reconstructed keep that doesn't even fit the stone foundation, but it should be included among the must-see castles of Japan. The rough cut stone walls (nozura-zumi) are quite magnificent. They are a much older style than what you see a

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History

Hikuma Castle was first built on this site around 1514 by a vassal of the Imagawa clan, Inoo Noritsura. In 1568, Tokugawa Ieyasu attacked Sakai Tadatsugu and took control of the castle. Ieyasu started construction of Hamamatsu Castle in 1570 and Hikuma Castle became a minor extension of its vast territory. In 1577 Ieyasu renamed his new castle Hamamatsu Castle. Legend says, the name was changed from "Hikuma" because the characters give the impression of "pulling a horse along" which you might do after losing a battle. Ieyasu spent 17 years here and engaged in some of his most well known battles from this castle before moving to Sunpu Castle in 1586.


Field Notes

Hamamatsu Castle sometimes gets a bad reputation for the poorly reconstructed keep that doesn't even fit the stone foundation, but it should be included among the must-see castles of Japan. The rough cut stone walls (nozura-zumi) are quite magnificent. They are a much older style than what you see at castles like Osaka Castle, Nagoya Castle, or Edo Castle and the amount of such remaining stone work is impressive. The hachimaki (headband) style stone walls (stone work just around the top of an embankment or hillside, reminiscent of a headband) around the main compound are also a unique feature.

The site has been vastly developed over the last few years including the reconstruction of the Honmaru gate. In one of the photos below you will also see an artists' illustration that contains another single level watchtower and multiple castles walls. There are tentative plans to rebuild these as well.


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Gallery
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Castle Profile
English Name Hamamatsu Castle
Japanese Name 浜松城
Alternate Names Hikuma-jo
Founder Tokugawa Ieyasu
Year Founded 1570
Castle Type Hilltop
Castle Condition Reconstructed main keep
Designations Next 100 Castles, Local Historic Site
Historical Period Edo Period
Main Keep Structure 3 levels, 3 stories
Year Reconstructed 1958 (concrete)
Features main keep, gates, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access Hamamatsu Station (Tokaido Honsen Line), 20 mins walk, or 10 mins bus ride
Hours 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.; Closed Dec.29-31; 200 yen
Time Required 90 mins
URL Castle Website
Location Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture
Coordinates 34.71174, 137.72479
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 1999
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 1999, 2020
Admin Visits May 1999, January 12, 2020
Friends of JCastle
Malcolm Fairman Photography - Hamamatsu Castle


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