Takada Castle is classified as a flatland castle (its layout: Rinkakushiki), and is located in Niigata Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Echigo Province. It is associated with the Matsudaira clan. Dates in use: 1614 - 1871.

Despite the difficulties of having to divert three rivers, four months was all it took to fashion this castle out of the landscape. It was built without a main tower but more unusually it was built without the stonework that is normally associated with Japanese castles. The original dominant building, a three-story turret, burnt down in 1870 and its replacement was built in 1993.

Timeline

1614	The castle was built.
1624	The Sankai Turret was built.
1665	The Sankai Turret collapsed in an earthquake. It was later rebuilt.
1802	All buildings in the main enclosure were lost to fire
1870	The palace was burnt to the ground.
1871	The castle was abandoned.
1993	The Sankai Turret was rebuilt.