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Guide to Japanese Castles

Kofu Castle

甲府城

moat, bridge, and walls of Kofu Castle
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Alternate Name Maizuru Castle
Founder Tokugawa Ieyasu
Year 1583
Type Hilltop
Condition Other Buildings
Admin's Rating ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Historical Site Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Value Top 100 Castles
Location Kofu, Yamanashi Pref.
Map Google Map
Access 3 minute walk from Kofu Station (Chuo Line)
Website Kofu City Sightseeing Guide
Visited November 15, 2003
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.
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.
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  • furinkazan    August 04, 2009 at 12:07 AM
    Last april i stayed at Kofu for 2 weeks. I went there to attend at the Shingenko-matsuri. From Kofu i went, with the train, every day, to other locations. I had a room in the Toyoko-inn Kofu Ekimae hotel(see faq on this site). Just what i looked after: a bed and a bathroom. On arrival i visited the Yamanote Gomon and the Castle park. The reconstucted towers are very nice. In both you'll find a little museum, with some interesting pieces. The castle park is very beautiful, especially with the sakura in bloom. From a lot of spots one will have a nice view of the Fujisan. You can easily go from the Yamanote Gomon to the Castlepark, using a bridge, which crosses the railroadtracks. The park is used for several contests during the Shingenko-matsuri.