
Images: Daniel O'Grady
甲府藩
Kōfu Domain
平岩氏

Hiraiwa Clan
63,000 Koku
徳川氏

Tokugawa Clan
250,000 Koku
徳川氏

Tokugawa Clan
200,000 Koku
徳川氏

Tokugawa Clan
250,000 Koku
柳沢氏

Yanagisawa Clan
150,000 Koku
徳川氏

Tokugawa Clan
* Koku
甲府城
Kōfu Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Teikakushiki), and is located in Yamanashi Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Kai Province. It is associated with the Tokugawa clan. Dates in use: 1583 - 1873.
A steady stream of lords passed through the Kōfu castle gates as was ordered by the Toyotomi clan, and after 1600, the Tokugawa clan. The turnover rapidly accelerated in 1724 and it became the feudal Japanese castle equivalent of the town bicycle after it came under the direct control of Tokugawa regime.
The grounds of this ruined castle seem to go on & on for ever. Kind of like a movie that would've benefited from a little more editing. Oops, did I say that out loud? Of course the lengthy walls aren't a bad thing, it just gets a bit samey is all.
There is just no gap between the castle & the city that has grown up around it. In fact, a section of the castle seems to have sprouted amongst it. That sprout is the restored Yamanote gate which is located across the train tracks to the North.
Timeline
1583 | Construction of the castle commenced. |
1593 | The castle was finally completed by Asano Nagamasa. |
1705 | The Yanagisawa clan were transferred here. |
1706 | A significant renovation was undertaken. |
1724 | The Yanagisawa clan were transferred to Yamato Koriyama castle & Kōfu castle came under the direct control of the Bakufu. |
1727 | A large fire in the main enclosure burnt a turret & other buildings down. |
1873 | The castle was dismantled, the moats filled in & abandoned. |
1904 | The castle grounds were opened to the public in the form of a park. |
1990 | Restoration of the stonework & the white Shirakabe walls were undertaken. |
2004 | The Inari Turret was rebuilt. |
2007 | The Yamanote Gate was rebuilt. |
Historical recognition
Site | Prefectural Historic Site |