What to know
Kofu Castle (甲府城, Kōfu-jō) is a ruined and partially reconstructed castle in central Kofu, now a public park called Maizurujo Park. It features reconstructions of a castle turret and several gates, plus a Japanese garden. The surviving stone walls let visitors easily imagine the castle's original layout, and the park offers nice views of the city and nearby mountains.
Interestingly, the original castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century, not by the Takeda clan who ruled the area earlier when building castles inside cities was uncommon. After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, the castle came under the Tokugawa clan, who held it throughout the Edo Period. Following the Meiji Restoration, the castle was abandoned and dismantled, then opened as a public park in 1904.
Among the park's highlights is the Inari Yagura, a reconstructed turret you can enter for free. Inside is a small exhibition with a diorama showing the castle's former appearance. Good views can be enjoyed from the turret's upper floor and from the elevated former honmaru (main citadel) in the park's center. A Japanese garden adds to the tranquil atmosphere.
Kofu Castle is a five-minute walk southeast of Kofu Station.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Always open, except the Inari Yagura which is open 9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00)
- Closed
- No closing days, except Inari Yagura which is closed Mondays (or next day if Monday is a national holiday) and during the New Year holidays.
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Kofu Castle
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.