Hamamatsu Castle — Attraction in Hamamatsu

Hamamatsu Castle is a historic Japanese castle located in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Also known as "Shusseijo" or the "Castle of Success," Hamamatsu Castle holds significant historical importance, particularly due to its association with Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan’s most influential figures who would later become the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Originally built in 1570, Hamamatsu Castle was constructed by Ieyasu when he was a young daimyo (feudal lord) of the Mikawa and Totomi provinces. The castle played a crucial role in his early military career, serving as his stronghold during various battles, including the famous Battle of Mikatagahara in 1572. Although Ieyasu was defeated in this battle, the experience is said to have taught him valuable lessons that contributed to his later successes. After Ieyasu moved to Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Hamamatsu Castle continued to serve as a significant administrative and military center under various daimyo who ruled the region.

The castle itself is relatively modest compared to some of Japan’s more grandiose castles. It features a three-story tenshu (main keep), which has been reconstructed in modern times using traditional techniques and materials. The current structure was rebuilt in 1958, as the original keep had been lost over the centuries due to various circumstances, including war and natural disasters. Despite being a reconstruction, the keep offers a glimpse into the architectural style of the period and serves as a museum that displays samurai armor, weapons, and other artifacts related to the castle’s history.

Surrounding Hamamatsu Castle is a beautifully landscaped park, known as Hamamatsu Castle Park, which is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The park is particularly famous during the cherry blossom season in spring, when the sakura trees bloom, creating a picturesque scene around the castle. The park also features a statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu, commemorating his connection to the site.

Visitors to Hamamatsu Castle can enjoy exploring the grounds, learning about the region's history, and appreciating the serene atmosphere that contrasts with the castle’s storied past. The castle’s strategic location, overlooking the city of Hamamatsu, also provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area, making it a worthwhile destination for those interested in Japanese history...

It's small compared to castles at Osaka and Odawara, but at 200 yen, the price is right. There is almost no English in the museum, which is usual for the more off-the-beaten-track castles, although the brochure is available in Chinese and English, and at least the English one seems to have been proofread.

There are what appear to be volunteers around the museum who are only too happy to go into more depth with visitors on any of the exhibits, but, of course, you're unlikely to find one who can speak English, which is too bad, but can't be helped.

The grounds are lovely, and the stonework leading up to the castle (which I gather is original, unlike the castle itself, which is a scaled-down reconstruction) is wonderful to see. Given the ease of reaching the site from Hamamatsu's main station, and the price (200 yen, children free) it's certainly worth an hour...

Interesting history of the formation and rebuilding of the castle as a defence for the clan and its leader Leyasu Tokugawa. I enjoyed reading about the archaeological relicts and the reconstruction of the castle in the 1950s after WW2. Also use Google translate to understand about the geology of the granite base of the castle its quite interesting. Entrance fee was only ¥200. Very nice size and proportion more akin to a large house nowadays so not sure where he kept his 2 wives, 16 concubines and 20+ kids at? It must be outside...