Kofu Castle

Kofu recently finished restoring the Inari Yagura and Yamanote Gomon gate. The gate is across the opposite side of the train station and tracks so make sure you don't miss it. When the weather is good the top of the castle offers nice views of the surrounding mountains too.

History

Kofu Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1583 after he defeated Takeda shingen's heir, Katsuyori, in 1582. Next to Edo Castle, Kofu Castle was the strongest castle in the Kanto region. Until Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu became lord of Kofu Castle, it was also considered to be the residence of the lord closest to the shogun. From 1724 to the end of the Edo Period, the lord of Kofu Castle changed on a rotating basis with around 200 lords having held the title by the end of Edo Period. I have seen reference in some English materials/websites mistakenly claiming that this Kofu Castle (Maizuru Castle) was run by the Takeda. While Kofu was a castle town of the Takeda they actually ruled from the Tsutsujigasaki Yakata.

Field Notes

Kofu recently finished restoring the Inari Yagura and Yamanote Gomon gate. The gate is across the opposite side of the train station and tracks so make sure you don't miss it. When the weather is good the top of the castle offers nice views of the surrounding mountains too.

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Gallery

• 

  moat, bridge, and walls of Kofu Castle
• 

  donjon foundation
• 

  Inari Yagura
• 

  Yamanote Gomon gate
• 

  inside the Yamanote Gomon gate.
• 

  Yamanote Gomon Gate
• 

  Kajikuruwa gate
• 

  Inarikuruwa Gate
• 

  Akagane Gate
• 

  Akagane Gate
• 

  Kurogane gate
• 

  moats and walls
• 

  honmaru wall
• 

  Bailey and Inari Yagura.
• 

  Kofu Castle map
• 

  stone foundation
• 

  Reconstructed Kuroganemon Gatehouse to Honmaru
• 

  Inari Yagura seen from within castle walls
• 

  Edo Period style bell tower with Inari Yagura in background, seen from Yamanotemon ramparts

Castle Profile
English Name	Kofu Castle
Japanese Name	甲府城
Alternate Names	Maizuru Castle
Founder	Tokugawa Ieyasu
Year Founded	1583
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Top 100 Castles, Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	gates, turrets, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	3 minute walk from Kofu Station (Chuo Line)
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates	35.66535, 138.57092
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2003
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2003, 2007, 2015, 2017
Admin Visits	November 15, 2003; November 17, 2007

3.08

(12 votes)

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