Futamata Castle

Futamata Castle has some really great nozurazumi stonework around the site, including a main keep foundation. One interesting aspect of this site is that you can see how a Sengoku Period earthworks castle was renovated into a more modern stonework castle. Between the Honmaru and Kitaguruwa (where th

History

Futamata Castle was built in the early 1500s by the Imagawa. It was ruled by the Futamata and Matsui as vassals of the Imagawa until it was taken over by Tokugawa in 1568. Futamata Castle was one of the main defenses for Hamamatsu Castle, the home castle of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1572, the castle was captured by Takeda Katsuyori. In response Ieyasu built Tobayama Castle and several encircling forts to retake Futamata Castle in 1575.

In 1579, Ieyasu's eldest son Nobuyasu was ordered to commit seppuku by Ieyasu (as per the wishes of Oda Nobunaga). Nobuyasu and his wife Tukiyama were accused of conspiring with the Takeda. Tsukiyama, one of Nobunaga's daughters, was also executed here.

When Ieyasu moved to Kanto in 1590, the Horio Yoshiharu was stationed here. Horio renovated the castle, adding the stone walls. He also commanded Tobayama Castle as an extension of Futamata Castle. The castles were abandoned in 1590.

Field Notes

Futamata Castle has some really great nozurazumi stonework around the site, including a main keep foundation. One interesting aspect of this site is that you can see how a Sengoku Period earthworks castle was renovated into a more modern stonework castle. Between the Honmaru and Kitaguruwa (where the shrine is located) you can see a large tatebori. On the other side of the ninomaru is also a large horikiri trench. If you cross and go back into the woods you will also see another large horikiri trench was cut through the bedrock. If you continue down to the path that takes you to Tobayama Castle you will also pass several smaller stepped earthworks baileys.

Futamata Castle is best visited along with Tobayama Castle. My recommendation is to start from Futamata Honmachi Station, walk to Futamata Castle and then walk across the embankment along the river to Tobayama Castle. After Tobayama Castle you could walk to Nishikajima Station (2km) and take a different train line (Enshu Line), which provides perfect access to get you to Hamamatsu Castle allowing you to visit all 3 in one day. If you are lucky with timing, there is a bus that stops alongside both Futamata Castle and Tobayama Castle that will also take you directly to Nishikajima Station.

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Castle Profile
English Name	Futamata Castle
Japanese Name	二俣城
Alternate Names	Nihara-jo
Founder	Imagawa Clan
Year Founded	around 1520
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Futamata Honmachi Sta. (Tenryuhamanako Line); 10 min walk
Hours	park, open 24/7
Time Required	75 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture
Coordinates	34.86212, 137.80941
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2010
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2020
Admin Visits	January 12, 2020

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