Japan Castle Atlas日本のお城アトラス
My castles日本語
The West Koguchi Gate of the Kaku-umadashi, rebuilt in wood in 2016 (November 2020). It is based on foundation stones from the Ii family's era (late 16th century) found in excavations.
うなぎやCC0Wikimedia Commons

Gunma · Takasaki

Minowa Castle

箕輪城

Takasaki, Gunma

CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 18

What makes this castle distinctive

In just over 30 years it passed from the Takeda to the Oda, the Hojo and the Tokugawa, until Ii Naomasa moved the castle to Takasaki and it was abandoned.

Why?

Minowa Castle was built around 1500 by the Nagano clan, who held it for four generations. After it surrendered to Takeda Shingen in 1566, a string of powerful Warring States houses took it in turn: the Takeda, the Oda, the Hojo and the Tokugawa. In 1598 Ii Naomasa, a Tokugawa general, moved his castle to Takasaki, and Minowa was abandoned.[1]

Three things not to miss

01
The West Koguchi Gate of the Kaku-umadashi, rebuilt in wood in 2016 (November 2020). It is based on foundation stones from the Ii family's era (late 16th century) found in excavations.うなぎやCC0Wikimedia Commons

The rebuilt West Koguchi Gate of the Kaku-umadashi

Where
Between the second enclosure and the Kaku-umadashi, a fortified forecourt
What to look at
The wooden gatehouse standing in a gap in the earthen ramparts, and the earth causeways leading to it
Why it's interesting
Excavations in 2002 uncovered eight foundation stones of a gate from the Ii family's time (late 16th century), and the gate was rebuilt in wood on that basis in 2016. At 5.73 m wide and 3.48 m deep, it is the largest of the seven gates found at Minowa.[2]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideVisible from outside; free.
02

The giant moats that divide the castle

Where
Between the enclosures (kuruwa), such as the main and second enclosures
What to look at
Dry moats up to 40 m wide and 10 m deep, with earthen ramparts above them
Why it's interesting
Minowa was large, about 500 m east to west and 1,100 m north to south, and its enclosures were separated by enormous moats. Excavations have also found gate sites, stone walls and stone-lined drains. Here you can see for yourself the scale of Warring States earthwork fortification.[1]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideVisible from the walking paths.
03

The main enclosure's wooden bridge and West Koguchi Gate

Where
Between the main enclosure and the Kurayashiki enclosure, and at the main enclosure's west entrance
What to look at
The 29 m wooden bridge over the moat, and the West Koguchi Gate and stone wall of the main enclosure, completed in 2026
Why it's interesting
The wooden bridge linking the main enclosure and the Kurayashiki was completed in 2022, based on late 16th-century pier stones found in excavations. At the main enclosure's west entrance, the stone wall was restored in 2024 and the gate in April 2026, making it the site's newest sight.[2][3]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideFree to visit.

At a glance for visitors

Nearest station
from JR Takasaki Station, West Exit (by bus)
Climb
Some climbing
Time neededEditors' estimate
Allow 1–1.5 hours to see the gates, the main enclosure and the big moats.
Access
Open to visitors

The castle site is free. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is not at the site but nearby: in the lobby of Takasaki City's Misato Branch Office (weekdays 8:30–17:15), at Misato Community Center (9:00–17:00) and at Misato Library (Wed–Fri 10:00–19:00; Sat, Sun, Mon and holidays 10:00–17:00). Weekend and holiday stamp access at the branch office ended on May 31, 2026.

Checked:

View on mapOpen in Google MapsTakasaki City: Minowa Castle ruins (Japanese)Takasaki City: visitor guide (Japanese)Takasaki City: restoration project (Japanese)

The story of this castle

01
Historical record

On terraces at the foot of Mount Haruna

Minowa is a hilltop-and-plain castle with enclosures stepped across river terraces cut by the Haruna-shirakawa River, which flows from Mount Haruna. The river to the west and a marsh to the south served as natural defenses. The castle measured about 500 m east to west and 1,100 m north to south, and about 21 hectares are now a National Historic Site.[1][5]

02
Tradition

Four generations of the Nagano clan

The Nagano clan built the castle around 1500 and made it their base for four generations; the Japan Castle Foundation names Nagano Narihisa as the builder. Under Nagano Narimasa, backed by the Uesugi, the local warriors known as the Minowa-shu are said to have held together and repeatedly driven back Takeda Shingen's attacks.[1][4][5]

03
Historical record

1566: surrender to Takeda Shingen

In 1566 Minowa Castle surrendered to Takeda Shingen. After that its masters changed in quick succession: the Takeda (1566–1582), the Oda (1582), the Hojo (1582–1590) and the Tokugawa (1590–1598).[1]

04
Historical record

Ii Naomasa moves to Takasaki

When Tokugawa Ieyasu took over the Kanto region in 1590, Ii Naomasa was placed at Minowa; the foundation stones of the rebuilt gate date from his family's time. In 1598 Naomasa moved his castle to Takasaki, and Minowa was abandoned. No buildings survive, but the moats, earthen ramparts and traces of stone walls remain.[1][2]

05
Historical record

Excavation and restoration

The site became a National Historic Site in 1987 (expanded in 2018). Excavation began in fiscal 1998 and restoration work in fiscal 2011. Cedar plantations were cleared to reveal the castle's terrain, and the Kaku-umadashi West Koguchi Gate (2016), the wooden bridge between the main enclosure and the Kurayashiki (2022), the stone wall of the main enclosure's west entrance (2024) and its gate (April 2026) have been rebuilt.[1][2][3]

People of this castle

Timeline

  1. Around 1500

    The Nagano clan builds Minowa Castle[1]

  2. The castle surrenders to Takeda Shingen[1]

  3. The castle passes to the Tokugawa, and Ii Naomasa takes charge[1][5]

  4. Ii Naomasa moves to Takasaki and the castle is abandoned[1]

  5. Designated a National Historic Site[1][6]

  6. The Kaku-umadashi West Koguchi Gate is rebuilt in wood[2]

  7. April: the main enclosure's West Koguchi Gate is completed[2][3]

Buildings and remains

The keep today

No keep was built

A Warring States-period castle with no keep (none is listed by the Japan Castle Foundation).

The site today

The site is maintained as a historic park with walking paths. Wooden gates and a wooden bridge have been rebuilt. There is a free parking lot with toilets.

Main buildings

Rebuilt in wood

Kaku-umadashi West Koguchi Gate

Rebuilt in 2016 from eight Ii-era foundation stones; 5.73 m wide, 3.48 m deep.[2]

Rebuilt in wood

Wooden bridge between the main enclosure and Kurayashiki

Completed in 2022; 2.40 m wide, 28.92 m long, 6.00 m high.[2]

Rebuilt in wood

Main enclosure West Koguchi Gate and stone wall

Stone wall opened in 2024 and gate on April 4, 2026, based on foundation stones and other remains found in 2003.[2][3]

Key facts

Type
Castle
Setting
Hilltop castle (hirayamajiro)built on a low hill rising from the plainEditorial article
Period
Medieval (c.1185–1570s)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
No keep was builtthe castle never had a keepEditorial article
Built by
Hojo Ujikuni, Ii Naomasa, Takeda ShingenJapan Castle Foundation
Built
1567Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Hojo Ujikuni, Ii Naomasa, Nagano Narimasa, Tokugawa clan, Oda clan, Later Hōjō clan, Takeda clan, Naitō Masaaki, Takigawa KazumasuJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1598Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Stone walls, Earthen ramparts, Moats, Fortified gateways (koguchi), Wells, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), GatesEditorial article
Designation
National Historic Site (Minowa Castle ruins) (1987)Editorial article
Selection
Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 18Japan Castle Foundation

Visiting

Access

Open to visitors

The castle site is free. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is not at the site but nearby: in the lobby of Takasaki City's Misato Branch Office (weekdays 8:30–17:15), at Misato Community Center (9:00–17:00) and at Misato Library (Wed–Fri 10:00–19:00; Sat, Sun, Mon and holidays 10:00–17:00). Weekend and holiday stamp access at the branch office ended on May 31, 2026.

Address

Higashi-Akiya and Nishi-Akiya, Misato-machi, Takasaki, Gunma (parking at 582-6 Misato-machi Higashi-Akiya)[3]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Nearest stations and how to get there

JR Takasaki Station, West Exit (by bus)JR Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen, Takasaki Line and others

Some climbing

Take a Gunma Bus from West Exit stop 2 for about 30 minutes. The official page does not name the stop or give a walking time.[3]

Checked: 2026-10-03

By car / parking

About 11 km from Maebashi IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway. Free parking for 78 cars and 6 buses, 7:00–19:00 for the time being, with flush toilets.[3]

Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Site hours not confirmed (the parking lot is open 7:00–19:00 for the time being).[3]Checked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
Allow 1–1.5 hours to see the gates, the main enclosure and the big moats.
Steps, slopes and footing
The castle sits on terraces, and the walking paths go up and down.[1]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Flush toilets at the parking lot.[3]
English signs / audio guide
Not confirmed
Seasons
Not confirmed
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
Restoration of the main enclosure's West Koguchi Gate is complete, and it opened on April 4, 2026. Weekend and holiday 100 Castles stamp access at the Misato Branch Office ended May 31, 2026; the stamp is now also at Misato Library.[2][3]Checked: 2026-10-03

Editors' guide

An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.

Who will enjoy it

Good for fans of Warring States earth castles and anyone who wants to see a site being rebuilt step by step from excavation results. Also appealing to those drawn by the names Takeda Shingen and Ii Naomasa.

What makes it interesting

Start at the Kaku-umadashi West Koguchi Gate to see how a gate guarded a gap in the ramparts. Then take in the depth of the giant moats between the enclosures, and finish at the main enclosure's wooden bridge and its West Koguchi Gate, completed in 2026.

Before you go

This is a castle of moats and ramparts, not a keep or grand stone walls. It is about 30 minutes by bus from the station. The 100 Castles stamp is kept at nearby public facilities, not at the site, and its locations and hours have changed, so check before you go.

Ways to enjoy it

Gates built on excavated foundation stones make it easy to see why each entrance was where it was. Knowing that Ii Naomasa moved from here to Takasaki, you might pair the visit with Takasaki's own castle site.

Photos

Visitor reviews

Be the first to review

Have you visited this castle? We'd love to hear from you.

Write a review
Rating

We do not publish reviews that are not based on a visit, advertising, or posts containing personal information.

Open questions

Sources

  1. 1
    箕輪城跡高崎市municipalChecked:
  2. 2
    史跡箕輪城跡保存整備事業高崎市municipalChecked:
  3. 3
    史跡箕輪城跡案内高崎市municipalChecked:
  4. 4
    日本100名城 一覧公益財団法人日本城郭協会jokakuChecked:
  5. 5
    箕輪城(補助資料)Wikipedia日本語版otherChecked:
  6. 6
    箕輪城跡文化遺産オンライン(文化庁)heritageChecked:
  7. 7
    List of Japan's 100 Fine Castles and the Next 100公益財団法人日本城郭協会jokakuChecked:
  8. 8
    Wikipedia「箕輪城」Wikipedia日本語版wikipediaChecked:
  9. 9
    Wikidata Q994006WikidatawikidataChecked:
  10. 10
    OpenStreetMap way/550618784© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)osmChecked:

Listing status

  1. Candidate foundChecked
  2. Confirmed as a castle siteChecked
  3. Basic informationChecked
  4. In-depth articleChecked
  5. Photo rights checkedChecked
  6. Visit info checkedChecked

Castles nearby

Takarome Castle5.6 km · No keep recordedAnnaka Castle9.7 km · No keep recordedMaebashi Castle9.9 km · Keep lostTakasaki Castle10.2 km · Keep lostHakoda Castle10.3 km · Not yet confirmedEnokida Castle12.4 km · Not yet confirmed

Tell us if something has changed, looks wrong, or if you know of a photo we may use.

Suggest a correction or a photo