Tamanawa Castle

Tamanawa Castle occupies several elevated terraces on the outskirts of Kamakura and shows the outline of a 16th-century fortress with earthworks and defensive ditches. The remains spread across school property and adjacent temple land, bordered by paths and residential streets.

Ise Moritoki established the fortress in 1512 as a base for controlling the Sagami region and used it for over a century. The site fell to Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1590 without a fight and lost its military role by 1619.

The Ryuhouji Temple near the castle grounds contains a memorial stone for the Tamanawa Hojo clan and maintains a historical museum.

The main area lies on school grounds and requires permission to visit on weekdays. The outer sections and the nearby temple remain open to walk through and give a sense of the original layout.

The fortress remained undefeated for 80 years and opened its gates to Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1590 without any combat. The nearby Ryuhouji Temple holds a memorial stone for the Tamanawa Hojo family and displays historical items.

Location: Kamakura

Inception: 1512

GPS coordinates: 35.35344,139.51500

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26