Château de Tochigi

The castle features water moats surrounding elevated grounds, with remnants of stone foundations indicating its strategic defensive position in eastern Japan.

Built in 1591 by Minagawa Hiroteru, the fortress remained active for 12 years until 1603 when the Minagawa clan relocated to Iiyamajo in Shinano.

The castle site preserves a significant renga scroll, a traditional collaborative poetry form used by samurai for both artistic expression and intelligence exchange.

The central bailey area now functions as a public park, with the adjacent Sakamoto Yohe Gallery displaying historical artifacts from the castle period.

A descendant family of the original castle retainer still maintains residence near the grounds, preserving ancestral documents from the Minagawa lordship.

GPS coordinates: 36.37528,139.74361

Latest update: March 6, 2025 02:44