Tsuchiura Castle is classified as a flatland castle (its layout: Rinkakushiki), and is located in Ibaraki Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Hitachi Province. It is associated with the Oda, Fujii, Tsuchiya clans. Dates in use: 1429 - 1873.

Legend has it that fortifications were first built here in the 900's. Whether this is, in fact, true or not cannot be confirmed as no supporting records remain. By the mid 1400's it seems fortifications were indeed established with the following century seeing several battles. Following the battle of Sekigahara, a battle that saw victory for the Tokugawa & their allies, the castle was expanded & improved, bringing it up to modern standards.

Remaining since the mid-1600's is the Taikō Yagura Mon, a humble, yet well-preserved gate. Recent decades has seen efforts made to restore sections of the castle with the rebuilding of the Higashi & Nishi Turrets in addition to the Yakui-styled, Kasumi Mon.

Timeline

1429	Fortifications were built between 1429 to 1441.
1516	Something happened.
1590	Following the defeat of the Hōjō at Odawara Castle, Toyotomi Hideyoshi awarded the castle to the Tsuchiura clan.
1601	The Fuji branch of the Matsudaira clan were transferred here. It was while they were lords of the castle that Tsuchiura castle attained its final form.
1618	The Nishio clan was transferred here.
1620	The Higashi & Nishi Turrets were first built.
1622	The main gate of the castle was replaced by a turret-topped version.
1649	The Kutsuki clan was transferred here.
1656	The Taikō Yagura gate, the castle's oldest remaining building, was built.
1669	The Tsuchiya clan was transferred here.
1682	The Ōkōchi branch of the Matsudaira clan were transferred here.
1687	The Tsuchiura clan was transferred here.
1873	The castle was decommissioned. Following that, all buildings outside of the Ni-no maru were demolished & the extensive moats were filled in.
1950	The Nishi Turret was damaged during a typhoon.
1991	The Nishi Turret was rebuilt.
1998	The Higashi Turret was rebuilt.

Historical recognition

Site	Prefectural Historic Site