CastleFlatland castle (hirajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 41
What makes this castle distinctive
Here 500 defenders held off a 15,000-strong Takeda army. The cliffs where two rivers meet and the main enclosure's great earthen rampart still remain.
Why?
In 1575, surrounded by Takeda Katsuyori's huge army, lord Okudaira Sadamasa (later Nobumasa) held Nagashino Castle with only 500 men. Behind the castle, cliffs dropped to the meeting point of the Toyokawa and Ure rivers, which acted as moats. The siege set the stage for the decisive Battle of Shitaragahara, where the Oda and Tokugawa forces defeated the Takeda.[1][2][3]
The east side of the main enclosure (honmaru), right next to the Nagashino Castle Ruins Historical Museum.
What to look at
The tall earthen rampart around the honmaru and the remains of the inner moat outside it.
Why it's interesting
No buildings survive at Nagashino, but the large ramparts and moat traces of a late Warring States castle are well preserved. The inner moat and rampart protected the east side, the one side not guarded by the rivers.[2][3]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe castle site is free to walk around.
02
First version: Aboshi at Japanese Wikipedia Second version: Mocchy at Japanese Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The cliffs where two rivers meet
Where
The river side of the castle site. From Ushibuchi Bridge on the opposite bank you can see the cliffs of the castle site.
What to look at
The sheer cliffs and the Toyokawa (Kansa) and Ure rivers joining below them.
Why it's interesting
The castle was built on the cliffs at the confluence of two rivers, so the rivers formed moats at its back. Standing on the road from Aichi toward Nagano, Shizuoka and Yamanashi, it was fought over by the Takeda and Tokugawa.[2][3][5]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideVisible from inside the site and from Ushibuchi Bridge across the river. The monument near the bridge is about 35 minutes' walk from the museum.
The displays in the museum, the monument across the river where he was executed, and his grave near Shinshoji temple by Torii Station.
What to look at
The monument where he was crucified and the farewell poem carved on his grave.
Why it's interesting
With the castle about to fall, a foot soldier named Torii Suneemon slipped through the siege by going down the river and reached Okazaki Castle to ask Nobunaga and Ieyasu for help. On his way back he was captured by the Takeda, who ordered him to tell the castle that no help was coming. Instead he shouted toward the castle that reinforcements were on their way, and was crucified. His words are said to have rallied the defenders.[7][4][5]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe monument and grave are outdoors. The museum displays require a ticket.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
8 min walk from JR Nagashinojo Station
Climb
Not confirmed
Time neededEditors' estimate
About an hour for the museum and castle site; allow half a day to also visit nearby sites such as Suneemon's monument and Iouji temple.
Admission
Adults 300 yen, elementary and junior high students 100 yen (groups of 20+: adults 200 yen). A combined ticket with the Shitaragahara Historical Museum and Horaijisan Natural History Museum costs 600 yen for adults. Free for holders of disability certificates and one companion.
Hours
9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Access
Open to visitors
The castle site is open to walk freely; the museum charges admission. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is outside the museum, next to the vending machine on the first floor, so it is available even outside opening hours and on closed days (it may be moved during typhoons). Castle seal cards (goshuin) are sold at the museum reception (300 yen).
Nagashino Castle sits on cliffs where the Toyokawa and Ure rivers meet. The rivers formed natural moats at its back, so only the east side needed an inner moat and rampart. It also lay on the road leading from Aichi to Nagano, northern Shizuoka and Yamanashi, making it a key point for controlling traffic.[2][3]
02
Historical record
Built by the Suganuma, fought over by the Takeda and Tokugawa
The castle was built in 1508 by Suganuma Motonari, of a branch of the Suganuma family of Damine. It first served the Imagawa, then Matsudaira Motoyasu (the future Ieyasu), and in 1571 went over to the Takeda. Ieyasu took it back in 1573.[2][4]
03
Historical record
1575: 500 defenders under siege
In May 1575, Takeda Katsuyori surrounded Nagashino with 15,000 troops. Lord Okudaira Sadamasa defended it with 500 men. Unable to take the castle, the Takeda built fences around it and strung nets across the river to starve it out. It was during this siege that the foot soldier Torii Suneemon slipped out to Okazaki to seek help and was captured and crucified on his return.[1][4][7]
04
Historical record
On to Shitaragahara
On May 18, the relief armies of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu reached Shitaragahara, about 4 km west of the castle, and built defensive positions. The Takeda lifted the siege and advanced to meet them on May 21, but under heavy matchlock fire they lost many of their generals and were defeated. Together, the siege and the decisive battle are known as the Battle of Nagashino and Shitaragahara.[1][4]
05
Historical record
Abandoned the next year; ramparts and moats remain
The year after the battle, Okudaira Nobumasa moved his seat to a new castle at Gogahara, and Nagashino is said to have been abandoned. No buildings remain, but the honmaru's large rampart and moat traces are well preserved. The JR Iida Line now runs through the castle site.[2][3][6]
06
Historical record
Protected as a National Historic Site
The Nagashino Castle ruins were designated a National Historic Site in 1929, covering about 35,500 m² centered on the honmaru. The Nagashino Castle Ruins Historical Museum on the site collects, displays and studies materials on the siege. Shinshiro City has drawn up a preservation and utilization plan to protect the site while using it to revitalize the area.[2][1]
A Warring States-period castle with no surviving buildings. No official description of a keep was found (the Japan Castle Foundation list shows none).
The site today
A National Historic Site centered on the honmaru, with the Nagashino Castle Ruins Historical Museum on site. The JR Iida Line and National Route 151 pass through. Traces of baileys such as the honmaru, Obi-guruwa, Yagyu-guruwa, Tomoejo-guruwa, Hisago-guruwa and Danjo-guruwa remain.
Main buildings
Site only
Honmaru rampart and inner moat
The great rampart and inner moat that guarded the east side.[2][3]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Flatland castle (hirajiro)built on flat ground, defended by moatsEditorial article
Period
Medieval (c.1185–1570s)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Not yet confirmedwhether a keep existed is still being checkedEditorial article
National Historic Site (Nagashino Castle ruins) (1929)Editorial article
Selection
Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 41Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Open to visitors
The castle site is open to walk freely; the museum charges admission. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is outside the museum, next to the vending machine on the first floor, so it is available even outside opening hours and on closed days (it may be moved during typhoons). Castle seal cards (goshuin) are sold at the museum reception (300 yen).
About 8 minutes on foot. Trains stop roughly once an hour in each direction. There is no direct bus from Toyohashi Station.[1][3]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Hours and admission
Nagashino Castle Ruins Historical Museum
Hours
9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed
Tuesdays (or the next weekday if Tuesday is a holiday); December 29 – January 3
Admission
Adults 300 yen, elementary and junior high students 100 yen (groups of 20+: adults 200 yen). A combined ticket with the Shitaragahara Historical Museum and Horaijisan Natural History Museum costs 600 yen for adults. Free for holders of disability certificates and one companion.[1]
Checked: 2026-10-03
By car / parking
About 3 km from Shinshiro IC on the Shin-Tomei Expressway via Route 151 toward Iida. Free parking next to the museum (about 50 cars, 2 buses).[1]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About an hour for the museum and castle site; allow half a day to also visit nearby sites such as Suneemon's monument and Iouji temple.
Steps, slopes and footing
Details on slopes and steps are not confirmed. Nearby battle sites are 5–70 minutes' walk from the museum, according to the official map.[5]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Not confirmed
English signs / audio guide
A pamphlet for overseas visitors is available on the official area-guide page.[5]
Seasons
Cherry blossoms in spring; every May 5 the Nagashino Battle Banner Festival features a procession and matchlock demonstrations. Autumn leaves in fall.[3]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
The museum is closed Tuesdays (open daily August 5–17 during summer holidays). Electric-assist rental bicycles are available.[1]Checked: 2026-10-03
City museum at Shitaragahara, where the Oda-Tokugawa and Takeda armies clashed. A combined ticket with the Nagashino museum is available. Closed Tuesdays.[9][1]
The temple where Takeda Katsuyori set up headquarters during the battle, about 15 minutes' walk from the museum.[5]
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
For those who want to walk a Warring States battlefield, and who prefer reading a castle's defenses from terrain and earthworks rather than buildings.
What makes it interesting
Learn about the siege and Suneemon at the museum first, then see the honmaru rampart, inner moat and the cliffs above the rivers. With time, walk to the monument across the river and look back at the site from Ushibuchi Bridge.
Before you go
No buildings survive. Trains run only about once an hour, so check times in advance. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Ways to enjoy it
Pair it with the Shitaragahara Historical Museum to follow events from the siege to the decisive battle. On May 5, the banner festival includes matchlock demonstrations.
Photos
Visitor reviews
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Open questions
Accounts differ slightly on the exact words Suneemon shouted toward the castle.
The castle's abandonment in 1576 is given as the generally accepted view.
The Japan Castle Foundation classifies it as a flatland castle, though it stands on cliffs above a river confluence.
Site hours, toilets, accessibility and photo rules could not be confirmed.
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