Maizuru Castle Park, Japanese castle in Kofu, Japan
Maizuru Castle Park is a historic castle site in Kofu, positioned on a hill where two rivers converge in Yamanashi Prefecture. The grounds preserve several stone walls, restored gates, and turret buildings that remain from the original fortifications.
Construction began in 1583 under the Tokugawa shogunate as a strategic base for controlling the eastern regions. The main keep and inner structures were dismantled in 1873 during the Meiji reforms, but the outer walls and earthworks remained intact.
The name Maizuru means 'dancing crane', referring to the way the structure once rose in curved tiers above the terraced hilltop. Local residents gather here throughout the year for seasonal festivals and quiet walks beneath the old stone ramparts.
Visitors can walk along marked paths through the terraced levels, reaching several restored gates and raised viewing points. The preserved stone walls are easily accessible, and the site offers open exploration throughout the year.
The site is one of the few places in the region where visitors can see preserved stonework and earthworks from the late 16th century. Archaeologists have excavated more than 3000 items here, including pottery and weapons, now displayed in nearby museums.
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