Takeda Shrine in Kofu is dedicated to Takeda Shingen, the 16th-century daimyo who ruled Kai province (present-day Yamanashi) and is remembered as one of the era's most formidable warlords. The shrine sits on the former site of Tsutsujigasaki Yakata, Shingen's fortified residence, so the grounds themselves are a piece of Sengoku-period history rather than a later religious foundation. A statue of Shingen seated in full armor stands near the approach, and the Treasure Hall holds artifacts connected to him and the Takeda clan.
Takeda Shrine occupies the former site of Tsutsujigasaki Yakata, the fortified residence of the Takeda clan built in 1519 by Takeda Nobutora and home to three generations of the family, including his son Takeda Shingen, one of the most celebrated warlords of Japan's Sengoku period, and grandson Takeda Katsuyori, before the clan's defeat by Oda Nobunaga's forces in 1582. The residence site, designated a National Historic Site in 1938, still shows portions of its original moat and stone-and-earth ramparts, visible around the shrine's perimeter and offering a tangible sense of the compound's original defensive layout even though none of the Takeda-era buildings themselves survive. The shrine itself was founded in 1919, when local reverence for Shingen, still widely regarded in the region as Kofu's most important historical figure, led to Tsutsujigasaki's dedication as a Shinto shrine in his honor, with a main hall, worship hall, and multiple torii gates built across the historic grounds. A Treasure Hall (Homotsuden) on the grounds displays armor, weapons, and other artifacts connected to Shingen and the wider Takeda clan for a modest separate admission fee. The shrine draws its largest crowds each April during the Shingen-ko Festival, a major citywide historical reenactment event featuring processions of costumed warriors, though outside festival dates the grounds offer a quiet, contemplative walk among moat-side cherry trees and the old residence's surviving earthworks.
| Admission | Adult Free; Treasure Hall small separate admission fee · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Grounds sunrise to sunset (amulet office approx 9:00am–4:00pm); Treasure Hall approx 9:30am–4:00pm |
| Typical visit | 45–60 minutes |
| Best time | Weekday mornings for a quiet visit, or April for cherry blossoms around the moat |
| Getting there | Bus from JR Kofu Station toward Takeda Shrine, roughly 10 minutes, or a 30-minute walk |
| Address | 2611 Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0014 |
Location
2611 Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0014
35.6875, 138.5636 View on map
Highlights
- Site of Tsutsujigasaki Yakata, the Takeda clan's fortified residence for three generations
- Surviving portions of the original moat and stone-and-earth ramparts
- Treasure Hall displaying armor and artifacts connected to Takeda Shingen
- 1919 shrine founding dedicated to Takeda Shingen's memory
- Shingen-ko Festival processions each April with costumed warrior reenactments
Tips for visiting
- Visit in April to see the Shingen-ko Festival, though expect large crowds during the main procession days
- Walk the shrine's perimeter to view the surviving moat and earthwork sections from the original residence
- Check the Treasure Hall's hours separately, as it keeps different opening times from the main shrine grounds
- Combine the visit with nearby Maizuru Castle Park for a fuller picture of Kofu's Takeda- and Edo-era history
- Visit on a weekday morning outside festival season for the quietest experience
When to visit
Weekday mornings for a quiet visit, or April for cherry blossoms and the Shingen-ko Festival.
Accessibility
The main shrine grounds are mostly level gravel and paved paths, though the perimeter earthworks and moat-side sections include some uneven natural terrain.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A visit to the main shrine grounds and Treasure Hall takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Is it worth it for kids?
The open grounds, moat, and armor displays in the Treasure Hall generally appeal to families interested in samurai history.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is generally permitted across the shrine grounds; photography inside the Treasure Hall may be restricted near certain artifacts.
Are any original Takeda-era buildings still standing?
No original buildings from the Takeda family's residence survive; only portions of the moat and earthwork ramparts remain from that period, with the current shrine structures dating from 1919 onward.