Takasaki Castle

Takasaki Castle is a hirajiro fortification in Takasaki, Japan, built on level terrain and spreading across several blocks of the modern city center. The remains include stone walls of varying heights, grassy earthworks, and a rectangular layout that was once protected by waterways.

Construction began in the late 16th century under orders from Tokugawa Ieyasu to secure Tokugawa control along major trade corridors. The site replaced an older stronghold that had been destroyed during military conflicts in the late 16th century.

The name refers to the elevated vantage point that merchants traveling between coastal and inland regions could spot from a distance. Today locals gather in the adjacent temple grounds, where they connect with the legacy of samurai discipline and political authority.

The site lies about a ten-minute walk from Takasaki Station and is accessible via regular sidewalks. Signage in Japanese and English helps with orientation between the scattered remains.

Two surviving structures from the original compound were physically moved to different locations within the city during the 1970s. Today these elements stand in new surroundings, showing local efforts to keep historic traces visible despite urban development.

Location: Takasaki

Inception: 1597

GPS coordinates: 36.32410,139.00400

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26