Tsutsujigasaki Palace

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.

Visit 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

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

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)
Visitor Information
Time Required
Website	http://www.takedajinja.or.jp/
Location	Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 41' 13.16" N, 138° 34' 37.85" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2003
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2003, 2015, 2017
Admin Visits	November 15, 2003

2.00

(9 votes)

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ARTShogun

10 months ago

Score 1

Tsutsujiǵasaki-yakata, the castellated residence of three generations of the Takeda Clan - Nobutora, Shingen, Katsuyori - has many outer ruins. In recent years one portion in the south which was formerly built over with housing has been reclaimed and preserved as a park. This is the Baiō Bailey. There is dorui (earthen ramparts), mizubori (a moat) and even some ishigaki (stone-piled masonry) here, as well as explanation panels and some other ruins. It's worth coming through here on the way to the main ruins.

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RaymondWDaimyo

99 months ago

Score 0

I visited Tsutsugasaki Palace, which is locally signposted on the maps as Takeda Shrine last month. Since my previous visit 4 years ago, they have done some work on restoring the stone walls around the North Gate Ruin and South Gate Ruin of the West Bailey. The outer baileys beyond the North Gate of the West Bailey were much more overgrown than four summers ago. This time, I opted to walk up from Kofu Station. It's around a 30 minute walk going slightly uphill. After Tsutsujigaski Palace, my wife and I visited Katsunumashi Yakata and then Budounooka, a wine tourist attraction.

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FurinkazanHatamoto

116 months ago

Score 0

Still being a Takeda-fan, after visiting Kofujo, i went again to this site. There are still digging being done, but some parts on the east of the shrine have panels and some reconstucted ishigaki where a gate stood, as well as an indication where a stable stood. After visiting the shrine and the museum i lost my way in the little shop, where i bought alot of stuff, lol.

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Anonymous user #1

141 months ago

Score 0

Not a castle but a very nice temple. The walk from the station is an uphill PITA but certainly worth visiting if youre in the area

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Anonymous user #1

145 months ago

Score 0

I went here again last week. There is a lot of archaeological dig? work going on in the west kuruwa and most of it is covered by blue sheets. You can still access 90% of the site though. After that I went to nearby Yougai-san. (Where Takeda Shingen was born). The castle ruins there had more stone walls than I expected and even the rocks from a Japanese garden remaining and the trail was very well kept. If you aren`t into ruins then it won`t be your thing, but if you are into the Takeda clan, hiking, hot springs and mountaintop ruins I recommend it.

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RaymondWDaimyo

149 months ago

Score 0

I went to this place first before going to Kofu Castle. I can see why Takeda fans like this place. The museum is pretty cool with lots of Takeda artifacts including some of their battle flags including an old Furikazan banner, war fan, armour, and weapons. There are also some paintings with one featuring Takeda Shingen and his 24 generals. There was also one display featuring some Uesugi Kenshin stuff as well. Entry to the museum is 300yen and no photography is allowed. To get to this site, take the bus from Kofu Station. It says in Japanese “武田神社”, meaning Takeda Shrine. Cost 180yen. One star for the ruins and a second star for the museum.

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Anonymous user #1

159 months ago

Score 0

Sacred ground, especially for Takeda fans. ^_^ The 100meijo stamp is on request from the same counter you buy omomori at. They also have a good selection of books and post-cards. The museum/treasure house is excellent. They have swords, weapons, yoroi, metal fans, some beautiful hanging scrolls and one of the Takeda's famous Furinkazan flags. There was some excavation going on in the moat. Also nearby is Sanjo-hime's grave; Yuu-hime's is at Eirinji, in Enzan, along with many of the 24 generals, (and another good omiyage shop). ^_^ Enzan and Nirasaki stations are quite close to Kofu if you are planning on paying your respects to the Takeda.

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FurinkazanHatamoto

174 months ago

Score 0

The Takedajinja is worth to visit. If you're looking for a castle here, you'll be disappointed. There is a little museum next to the shrine, very rewarding a visit. In the museum there is an original Furinkazan-flag. The site is about 4km from the Kofu station.

If you're a Takeda Shingen-fan, like myself, you will find a lot of stuff in a shop just before entering the precincts of the shrine.

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