663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons

Nagano · Suwa

Takashima Castle

高島城

Suwa, Nagano

CastleFlatland castle (hirajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 128

What makes this castle distinctive

The "floating castle" that seemed to drift on Lake Suwa had a keep roofed not with tiles but with thin wooden shingles.

Why?

Takashima was built on island-like land at the edge of Lake Suwa, surrounded by water and marsh, so it was called the "Floating Castle of Suwa." Its keep was roofed with thin layered cypress shingles (kokerabuki), said to be because no roof tiles could be found that would survive Suwa's cold winters. The keep rebuilt in 1970 has a copper roof.^[1][2][3][5]

Three things not to miss

The three-tiered keep rebuilt in 1970

Where: The keep in the old main enclosure (honmaru), now Takashima Park. Cross the Kabuki Bridge and enter through the Kabuki Gate.
What to look at: The three-tiered keep (tenshu) with a lookout-style top, and the curves of its roofs and the detail under the eaves.
Why it's interesting: The keep was torn down in the Meiji era and rebuilt in 1970 after long campaigning by local people. It was designed by Ooka Minoru, an architect experienced in preserving historic buildings. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that although it is reinforced concrete, it faithfully reproduces details down to the board walls, the rafters under the eaves and the curves of the roofs.^[1][2][3][5]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideVisible from the park at any time; the interior museum requires a ticket.

Moat and stone walls from the "floating castle"

Where: The moat around the main enclosure and the stone walls beneath the keep and the corner turret.
What to look at: Stone walls rising straight out of the water, and the corner turret facing the moat.
Why it's interesting: When it was built, the waters of Lake Suwa came right up to the castle, which is said to have looked as if it were floating. The area around it is now part of the town, but the moat and stone walls still suggest a castle defended by water. Part of the original stonework survives.^[2][3][5]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideFree to view from inside and around the park.

The lookout on the keep's third floor

Where: The top (third) floor of the keep.
What to look at: The view over Suwa toward the lake.
Why it's interesting: The top floor is a lookout with a view in every direction. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that seeing the landscape from up here makes it clear why the castle was built at the lakeshore. The second floor has displays on the Suwa lords and how they ran the domain.^[1][3]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideRequires admission to the keep.

At a glance for visitors

Nearest station: 10 min walk from JR Kami-Suwa Station, Suwako Exit
Climb: No climb
Time neededEditors' estimate: 20–30 minutes for the keep (the tourism association's estimate); about an hour in total if you also walk the park and moat.
Admission: Adults 310 yen, children (elementary and junior high) 150 yen; groups of 20+ 200/100 yen. With a disability certificate: adults 150 yen, children free.
Hours: April 1 – September 30: 9:00–17:30; October 1 – March 31: 9:00–16:30
Access: Open to visitors
Takashima Park (the old main enclosure) is free to walk around. The keep's interior charges admission. The Continued Japan 100 Castles stamp is inside the keep and unavailable on closed days (no mail requests). Castle seals cost 300 yen (usually one per person) and are not sent by mail.

Checked: 2026-10-03

View on map Open in Google Maps Suwa City: Suwa Takashima Castle (Japanese)Suwa Tourism Association: Takashima Castle (English leaflet available)

The story of this castle

Tradition

A castle on an island in the lake

The chosen site, Takashima, was land that jutted out like an island at the edge of Lake Suwa. It was also called "Ukishima" (floating island) and was home to a fishing village. The builder, Hineno Takayoshi, is said to have moved the whole village elsewhere to make room. Surrounded by lake water and marsh, the finished castle seemed to float on the lake, earning the name "Floating Castle of Suwa."^[1][2][5]

Historical record

Seven years of work by one of Hideyoshi's retainers

In 1590 the Suwa clan's lord, Suwa Yoritada, followed Tokugawa Ieyasu when Ieyasu was moved to the Kanto region, and Hineno Takayoshi, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, became lord of Suwa with 27,000 koku. Takayoshi chose and planned the site the next year, began building in 1592 and finished in 1598. The main, second and third enclosures (kuruwa) were laid out in a straight line, and only a single road led from the castle town to the castle.^[2][4][5]

Historical record

The Suwa clan returns for 270 years

Suwa Yorimizu, Yoritada's son, sided with the Tokugawa at the Battle of Sekigahara and in 1601 returned as lord to Suwa, his family's ancestral land. For about 270 years after that, through the 10th lord Suwa Tadaaya, Takashima was the Suwa clan's seat. Besides the keep, the main enclosure held the lord's palace, study halls and offices.^[2][1][5]

Historical record

The keep is lost and the grounds become a park

After domains were abolished in 1871, the castle was ordered dismantled, and by 1875 the keep had been removed. In 1876 the former main enclosure opened to the public as Takashima Park. Part of the original stone walls survives.^[2][3][5]

Historical record

Rebuilt in 1970 by popular demand

Suwa's attachment to its castle ran deep, and campaigns to rebuild it began as early as the Taisho era (1912–1926). In 1970 a reinforced-concrete keep designed by architect Ooka Minoru was completed, along with rebuilt versions of the Kabuki Gate and the corner turret. The keep now houses local history displays. A ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the rebuilding in 2020.^[1][2][3][5]

People of this castle

Builder of the castle

Hineno Takayoshi

日根野高吉

1539–1600

A warrior who served Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In 1590 he became lord of Suwa with 27,000 koku and built Takashima Castle on the shore of Lake Suwa.

First lord of the Takashima domain after the Suwa clan's return

Suwa Yorimizu

諏訪頼水

1570–1641

Son of Suwa Yoritada. He left Suwa when the Tokugawa moved to the Kanto region, sided with them at Sekigahara, and in 1601 returned to his ancestral Suwa as lord of the Takashima domain. The Suwa clan then held Takashima Castle until the end of the shogunate.

Lord

Suwa clan

諏訪氏

Rebuilt / expanded

Suwa Tadakata

諏訪忠粛

1768–1822

Timeline

1590
Hineno Takayoshi becomes lord of Suwa^[2][5]
1592
Construction of Takashima Castle begins^[2][4][5]
1598
Takashima Castle is completed^[1][2][5]
1601
Suwa Yorimizu returns to Suwa as lord^[2][5]
1875
Removal of the keep is completed^[2][3][5]
1876
The main enclosure opens to the public as Takashima Park^[2][5]
1970
The keep, Kabuki Gate and corner turret are rebuilt^[1][2][3][5]

Buildings and remains

The keep today

Modern reconstruction

Removed in 1875 and rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1970, described as a "revival" (fukko) keep by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and Suwa City. The original roof was wooden shingles; the current one is copper.

The site today

The main enclosure is now Takashima Park, and the keep houses exhibits and a lookout. The moat and stone walls survive around the main enclosure, while the other enclosures have become part of the town.

Main buildings

Modern reconstruction

Keep (tenshu)

Rebuilt in 1970: three tiers, lookout style, about 17 m tall. Inside are exhibits and a lookout.^[1][3]

Modern reconstruction

Kabuki Gate

Rebuilt in 1970 along with the keep; the entrance to the main enclosure across the Kabuki Bridge.^[2][5]

Modern reconstruction

Corner turret (sumi-yagura)

Rebuilt in 1970 along with the keep.^[2][5]

Key facts

Type: Castle
Setting: Flatland castle (hirajiro)built on flat ground, defended by moatsEditorial article
Period: Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu): Modern reconstructiona keep rebuilt in the 20th century or later; shape or position may differ from the originalEditorial article
Built by: Hineno TakayoshiJapan Castle Foundation
Built: 1592Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords: Suwa clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned: 1875Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see: Stone walls, Moats, Gates, Turrets or turret bases, Keep base (tenshudai), Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa)Editorial article
Designation: Suwa City Historic SiteEditorial article
Selection: Next 100 Fine Castles No. 128Japan Castle Foundation

Visiting

Access

Open to visitors

Takashima Park (the old main enclosure) is free to walk around. The keep's interior charges admission. The Continued Japan 100 Castles stamp is inside the keep and unavailable on closed days (no mail requests). Castle seals cost 300 yen (usually one per person) and are not sent by mail.

Address

1-20-1 Takashima, Suwa, Nagano 392-0022^[2]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Nearest stations and how to get there

JR Kami-Suwa Station, Suwako ExitJR Chuo Main Line

about 10 min walk · No climb

About 10 minutes on foot from the Suwako (lake) exit.^[1][2]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Hours and admission

Takashima Castle keep (exhibits and lookout)

Hours: April 1 – September 30: 9:00–17:30; October 1 – March 31: 9:00–16:30
Closed: December 26–31, plus occasional closures for cleaning (all day on November 12, 2026; from 12:30 on March 11, 2027)
Admission: Adults 310 yen, children (elementary and junior high) 150 yen; groups of 20+ 200/100 yen. With a disability certificate: adults 150 yen, children free.^[1]

Checked: 2026-10-03

By car / parking

About 15 minutes from the Suwa IC on the Chuo Expressway. Parking for 14 cars and 8 large buses.^[1][2]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Grounds opening hours

Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03

Time neededEditors' estimate

20–30 minutes for the keep (the tourism association's estimate); about an hour in total if you also walk the park and moat.

Steps, slopes and footing

Flat from the station to the castle and within the park; the keep's interior has stairs.^[2]

Wheelchairs and strollers

Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03

Toilets and rest

Toilets in the park (per the tourism association's leaflet map).^[5]

English signs / audio guide

The Suwa Tourism Association publishes an English leaflet (PDF). English signage inside the keep is not confirmed.^[2]

Seasons

Takashima Park is known for its cherry blossoms and has flowers through the seasons.^[1]

Photography

Not confirmed

Works, closures and restrictions

Closed all day on Thursday, November 12, 2026, and from 12:30 on Thursday, March 11, 2027, for cleaning.^[1]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 travelers visiting Lake Suwa or Suwa Taisha Shrine who want to add a castle, and for anyone looking for an easy castle within walking distance of the station. The keep is compact and quick to see.

What makes it interesting

Take in the keep and corner turret together across the moat, then cross the Kabuki Bridge into the main enclosure. From the top of the keep, look out toward the lake and picture the water once reaching the castle walls.

Before you go

Today's keep is a 1970 concrete rebuild, not an Edo-period building, and the castle now stands away from the lakeshore, surrounded by town. The stamp is inside the keep, so go during opening hours.

Ways to enjoy it

In cherry blossom season you can see the moat, keep and blossoms together. Inside the keep, look at the replica of the Omakura Byobu folding screen, which shows Suwa's villages, the castle and the castle town in the early Edo period, to picture the floating castle's world.

Photos

Visitor reviews

Be the first to review

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

Write a review

Open questions

Why the roofs used wooden shingles instead of tiles is uncertain; explanations include tiles cracking in the cold and the soft lakeshore ground being unable to bear heavy tiles.
Land reclamation of Lake Suwa in the early Edo period is said to have ended the castle's water-surrounded appearance early on (according to secondary sources).
The story that Hineno Takayoshi moved the entire fishing village is based on tradition.
Suwa City lists December 26–31 as closing days, while the tourism association adds the second Thursday of November; for 2026 the city lists November 12 (the second Thursday) as an all-day closure.
Park hours, accessibility, photo rules inside and the year of the city historic-site designation could not be confirmed.