The stone-walled ruins of Kofu Castle, built after the fall of the Takeda clan and later dismantled in the Meiji era, now form a hilltop park a short walk from Kofu Station.
Kofu Castle was constructed from 1583 by generals under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later Tokugawa Ieyasu on Ichiyama hill, replacing the Takeda clan's earlier hilltop residence at Tsutsujigasaki as the region's seat of power once the Takeda were defeated. Its granite ramparts, among the tallest stone castle walls in the Kanto-Koshu region, still rise in stepped tiers above the modern city, though the main keep was dismantled after the 1868 Meiji Restoration along with most of Japan's feudal castles. The reconstructed Inari Yagura corner turret and Tamon Yagura, rebuilt in the 1990s using traditional joinery, now house a small free exhibition on the castle's construction, while the park's elevated walkways offer views over central Kofu and, on clear days, toward the Southern Alps. The site is central to the annual Shingen-ko Festival each April, when the Koshu Military Parade of costumed samurai departs from the park.
Why it matters
Seat of regional government for Kai Province through the Edo period, replacing the Takeda clan's earlier residence at Tsutsujigasaki
Site facts
- Built
- 1583–1590s, under Toyotomi- and Tokugawa-era generals following the fall of the Takeda clan
- Architect
- Built under the direction of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's regional generals, later administered by Tokugawa-appointed lords
- Style
- Yamashiro (hilltop) stone-walled castle, ramparts only surviving
- UNESCO listing
- Not a UNESCO site
Location
1-5-4 Marunouchi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0031
35.6631, 138.5686 View on map
Highlights
- Stepped granite ramparts among the tallest stone castle walls in the region
- Reconstructed Inari Yagura and Tamon Yagura turrets with a free exhibition room
- Views over central Kofu and the Southern Alps from the elevated park paths
- Three-minute walk from JR Kofu Station's south exit
- Starting point of the Shingen-ko Festival's Koshu Military Parade each April
Tips for visiting
- Combine a visit with Takeda Shrine, about a 15-minute bus ride north, for a fuller picture of the region's Takeda-era history
- Climb to the Tenshu-dai foundation platform for the best panoramic view over Kofu city
- Visit in early April to see the park as the starting point of the Shingen-ko Festival parade
- The turret exhibition is small; budget 15–20 minutes there and more time for the grounds themselves
When to visit
Early morning or late afternoon for softer light on the stone walls, or early April during the Shingen-ko Festival.
Accessibility
Paved paths cover most of the park, but reaching the upper ramparts and Tenshu-dai platform involves stone stairways with no elevator alternative.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Walking the park grounds and turret exhibition typically takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Is it worth it for kids?
The open stone walls and walkways are easy for children to explore, though there is limited hands-on interpretation for younger visitors.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is permitted throughout the park and inside the reconstructed turrets.