Kakegawa Castle is classified as a hilltop castle, and is located in Shizuoka Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Tōtōmi Province. It is associated with the Yamauchi clan. Dates in use: 1513 - 1871.

This castle has a long and colourful history. It saw battle when it fell to the army of Tokugawa Ieyasu & it fell two times more to the forces of nature. Though, what stands today is reconstructed, it has been rebuilt using traditional methods & materials.

Control of this castle changed on a regular basis in the early-to-mid Edo periods with ownership changing clans after just one or two generations. Toward the end of the Edo period four generations of the Ii clan and later, seven generations of the Ota clan ruled the area.

Timeline

1470	Fortifications were built by the Asahina clan.
1569	The castle fell to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
1590	Yamauchi Kazutoyo was appointed lord of the castle by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Kazutoyo initiated expansion of the castle.
1600	Following the Battle of Sekigahara, The Yamauchi clan were transferred to Kōchi Castle in Tosa Province.
1604	The main tower collapsed in an earthquake.
1621	The three-story main tower was built.
1854	The main tower was once again damaged by an earthquake.
1861	The palace in the Nino enclosure was rebuilt.
1869	Some sections of the castle were dismantled.
1871	The castle was decommissioned.
1994	The main tower was reconstructed.
1995	The main gate was reconstructed.

Historical recognition

Palace

Important Cultural Property