掛川城
Kakegawa Castle
Overview
Kakegawa Castle in Totomi Province is famed as the seat of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, renowned for the 'faithful wife' (naisuke no ko) story in which his wife Chiyo secretly saved money to buy him a prized warhorse. Kazutoyo ruled Kakegawa for 12 years before being rewarded with the entire Tosa domain after the Battle of Sekigahara. The current wooden reconstructed tower (1994) was Japan's first full-scale wooden castle reconstruction. The surviving Ninomaru Palace (1866), an Important Cultural Property, remains one of the few original castle palaces in Japan.
Connection to Swords
Yamauchi Kazutoyo — whose wife Chiyo famously saved secretly to buy him a prized warhorse — was equally devoted to acquiring fine swords as instruments of martial identity. The Tokaido corridor gave Kakegawa access to blades from Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond. When Kazutoyo transferred to Tosa after Sekigahara, his sword collection went with him, seeding the Tosa-Yamauchi clan's sword culture. The Ota clan that followed maintained the domain's sword collection through the Edo period. The surviving Ninomaru Palace preserves aspects of the domain lord's material culture, offering a rare intact glimpse into the daily life of a castle's ruling family.
Highlights
- Wooden reconstructed tower (1994) — Japan's first full authentic wood reconstruction
- Ninomaru Palace (Important Cultural Property) — rare surviving castle palace
- Views of Enshu-nada sea and Lake Hamana from the tower
- Kakegawa Castle History and Culture Hall (exhibits on Yamauchi Kazutoyo)
- Castle park cherry blossoms in spring
- Kakegawa tea culture — Japan's top green tea producing town
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.
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