Tsu Castle, Japanese castle in Tsu, Japan
Tsu Castle is a Japanese castle in Tsu that sits at the meeting point of the Ano and Iwata rivers, which create natural moats around the fortification walls. The site preserves its stone foundation and displays a reconstructed corner tower that gives a sense of the original architecture.
The warlord Oda Nobukane, brother of the famous Oda Nobunaga, built the original five-story structure in 1558 as a strategic stronghold. The master fortress builder Todo Takatora renovated the site in 1608 and fundamentally changed its defensive design.
The grounds were transformed into a public park where people walk among preserved stone walls and view the reconstructed corner watchtower. Locals use the area for recreation, and on spring days the space fills with families enjoying picnics beneath flowering trees.
The site is reachable in around 50 minutes by Limited Express train from Nagoya Kintetsu Station to Tsu Shinmachi Station. The grounds are open to the public, and a walk along the stone walls takes about 20 minutes to complete.
An equestrian statue of Todo Takatora, the fortress architect, stands near the original tower foundations and commemorates his work. The statue depicts him on horseback in full armor and was erected several decades ago.
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