Yokosuka Castle, Japanese castle in Kakegawa, Japan
Yokosuka Castle is a Japanese fortress in Kakegawa with stone walls made from rounded river rocks gathered from the Tenryu River, creating varied fortification patterns. The structure was built with strategic placement of gates and defensive features that remain visible in the layout today.
The castle was built in 1578 under Tokugawa Ieyasu's command as a strategic base against the rival Takatenjin Castle held by the Takeda clan. This founding period established its importance as a military stronghold in the region for decades to come.
The castle earned its name 'Two-Headed Castle' because of two main gates positioned on opposite sides, a feature that still shapes how visitors experience the layout today. This design reflects how the fortress was meant to be entered and defended from multiple directions.
The grounds now function as a public park where visitors can walk along preserved stone walls, moats, and earthen fortifications through marked pathways. Some areas feature uneven terrain, so wear suitable footwear for exploring the site.
Several original architectural elements survive today, including roof ornaments and demon tiles now preserved at Onkoji Temple and within sections of the palace at Yusan Temple. These pieces reveal the craftsmanship from the castle's earliest days.
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