Kakegawa Castle

Kakegawa Castle is a Japanese fortress in Kakegawa, Japan, sitting on a hill with stone walls and several defensive levels. The structure follows the traditional building style of Japanese fortifications made from wood and stone, with a multi-story tower as the highest point of the complex.

Asahina Yasuhiro built the original fortress between 1469 and 1487 to control the strategic Tokaido road linking Kyoto with the east. Later, the Ninomaru palace served during the Edo period as living quarters for the feudal lords who ruled the region from here.

The name comes from Mount Kakegawa, which rises behind the site and gives its name to the entire town. Visitors today can see the bright Namako walls in the neighborhood, a plaster style with white joints between dark tiles that once protected against fire.

The site sits about a five-minute walk north of JR Kakegawa Station, with paths running through narrow lanes lined with old white walls. The climb to the tower can get slippery when wet, so sturdy footwear helps on the stone steps and wooden floors inside.

The 1994 restoration made this site the first Japanese castle built after centuries using only wood throughout. The construction followed old methods without concrete or steel, which sparked debate among specialists at the time and now serves as a model for other projects.

Location: Kakegawa

Inception: 1469

Founders: Asahina Yasuhiro

Made from material: stone, wood

Part of: 100 Fine Castles of Japan

Website: https://kakegawajo.com

GPS coordinates: 34.77542,138.01473

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:42