Kakegawa Castle

Kakegawa Castle, also known as Kakegawa-jō in Japanese, is a historic castle located in the city of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The castle was built in the 15th century and played an important role in the history of the region during the Sengoku period, a period of intense civil war in Japan.

Kakegawa Castle was originally built by the Asahina clan in 1469 as a fortified stronghold to protect the area from invaders. However, the castle was eventually seized by the Imagawa clan in the late 15th century, and it became one of their most important strongholds in the region.

During the Sengoku period, Kakegawa Castle was known for its impressive defenses, including high walls, moats, and strategically placed watchtowers. The castle was also known for its unique layout, which featured a central keep that was surrounded by several smaller towers and fortifications.

Despite its strong defenses, Kakegawa Castle was eventually captured by Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the most powerful daimyos (feudal lords) in Japan, in the late 16th century. Ieyasu made significant modifications to the castle, including the addition of a larger main keep and several other buildings within the castle grounds.

Today, Kakegawa Castle is a popular tourist attraction and a significant historical landmark in the region. Visitors to the castle can explore the castle grounds and view the castle's impressive architecture, including its high walls and towering keep. The castle also features several exhibits and displays that showcase the history of the castle and the region.

One of the most impressive features of Kakegawa Castle is its main keep, which stands at over 30 meters tall and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The keep was originally built in the 16th century and was reconstructed in the 1990s using traditional building methods and materials.

Another notable feature of Kakegawa Castle is its beautiful gardens, which are located within the castle grounds. The gardens feature traditional Japanese landscaping and design elements, including ponds, bridges, and carefully manicured trees and shrubs.

In addition to its historical and architectural significance, Kakegawa Castle is also known for its role in Japanese literature and folklore. The castle is featured in several famous works of literature, including the famous novel "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu.

Kakegawa Castle is also the subject of several famous legends and folktales. One such legend tells the story of a beautiful princess who lived in the castle and fell in love with a samurai who was stationed there. According to the legend, the two lovers would meet secretly in the castle gardens, but their love was eventually discovered and they were forced to flee the castle.