CastleFlatland castle (hirajiro)Next 100 Fine Castles No. 115
What makes this castle distinctive
Tsuchiura's main enclosure, ringed by moats, was said to look like a turtle floating on water, and it still has the only surviving main-enclosure gate tower in the Kanto region.
Why?
Tsuchiura Castle is a flatland castle (hirajiro) built on low ground near Lake Kasumigaura and protected by layer after layer of moats. Its main enclosure, surrounded by water, was said to look like a floating turtle, so people called it Kijo, the Turtle Castle. The gate tower that served as the main enclosure's front gate survives from the Edo period, and the city describes it as the only surviving main-enclosure gate tower of its kind in the Kanto region.[1][5][12]
The Yagura Gate, Kanto's only surviving main-enclosure gate tower
Where
The south side of the main enclosure (honmaru) in Kijo Park, where the path crosses the moat into the honmaru.
What to look at
The two-story building that sits on top of the gate, and the earthen ramparts and walls that run off to either side.
Why it's interesting
This Edo-period gate is said to have been rebuilt in 1656. A large drum was kept upstairs and beaten to tell the time, so it was also called the Taiko Yagura (Drum Turret). It was taken apart and repaired in 1986–1987, and it is designated an Ibaraki Prefectural Historic Site together with the castle grounds.[1][5][11]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleYou can walk through the gate and view it freely from outside. We could not confirm any public access to the upper floor.
On the earthen ramparts at the east and west ends of the honmaru. You can go inside the East Turret, which is an annex of the city museum.
What to look at
The two-story turrets (yagura) standing on banks of piled earth rather than stone walls, and their reflections in the moat.
Why it's interesting
The East Turret is said to date from the time the Nishio family ruled the castle, and in the Edo period it probably also served as a storehouse for valuables. It was lost in a fire in the Meiji era and rebuilt in wood in 1998. The West Turret was damaged by a typhoon in 1949, taken down the next year, and rebuilt in 1991.[3][5][6]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleThe East Turret is open inside with a paid ticket shared with the city museum. The West Turret is closed inside.
The moats around the honmaru, which you can follow as you walk around Kijo Park.
What to look at
The ring of water around the main enclosure and the earthen banks built up on its inner side.
Why it's interesting
Tsuchiura Castle stood on low ground near Lake Kasumigaura and relied on water for defense. The city explains that the main enclosure, surrounded by several moats, looked like a turtle floating on water, hence the name Kijo. The outer moats were filled in after the Meiji era, but the moat around the honmaru still holds water.[1][12][14]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideFreely visible from inside the park.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
15 min walk from JR Tsuchiura Station, West Exit
Climb
No climb
Time neededEditors' estimate
Allow 40 minutes to an hour to walk the park and visit the East Turret, or about 1.5 hours if you add the museum.
Admission
Adults 200 yen (150 yen each for groups of 20+); free for high school students and younger. One ticket covers both the museum and the East Turret. Cash only.
Hours
9:00–16:30
Access
Open to visitors
Kijo Park is free to walk around. Entry to the East Turret (a museum annex) requires a ticket shared with the Tsuchiura City Museum. The West Turret is closed inside. The Next 100 Castles stamp is in the East Turret; when it is closed on Mondays, the stamp is available at the Machikado Kura Daitoku visitor center.
Tsuchiura Castle is a flatland castle built on low ground near Lake Kasumigaura. Instead of mountains or cliffs, it relied on rings of water-filled moats for defense. Tsuchiura sat on the Mito Kaido highway linking Edo and Mito, and it was also a river-transport hub, with boats running from Lake Kasumigaura down the Tone River to Edo. As a result, the castle town grew into the second-largest town in Hitachi Province after Mito.[1][10][13]
02
Tradition
Begun in the Muromachi period, completed in the Edo period
The castle is said to have been founded by the Wakaizumi clan in the later Muromachi period (the Japan Castle Foundation lists the Sugaya clan as a possible builder). In the Sengoku (Warring States) period it was held by the Sugaya, retainers of the Oda clan of Hitachi. The castle as we know it took shape in the Edo period.[5][13]
03
Historical record
Seat of the Tsuchiya family's 95,000-koku domain
In the early Edo period the castle passed among the Matsudaira, Nishio and Kutsuki families. From the mid-Edo period the Tsuchiya family ruled it for generations. The second Tsuchiya lord, Tsuchiya Masanao, served four shoguns and sat on the shogun's council of elders (roju) for more than 30 years. The Tsuchiura domain (han) grew to 95,000 koku, second only to Mito in Hitachi Province.[5][10]
04
Historical record
Turned into government offices in the Meiji era
After the domains were abolished, the castle served as the Niihari Prefecture office and then as a county office. A fire in the Meiji era destroyed the East Turret along with the lord's residence in the honmaru, and the buildings outside the main enclosure were torn down as the outer moats were filled in. The honmaru's Yagura Gate and Kasumi Gate survived.[3][5][14]
05
Historical record
The inner enclosures live on as Kijo Park
Part of the honmaru and the second enclosure (ninomaru) became Kijo Park, which was fully laid out as a park in 1935. In 1952 the castle site and its Yagura Gate became the very first Historic Site designated by Ibaraki Prefecture. The Tsuchiura City Museum now stands on part of the ninomaru, and the Old Maekawaguchi Gate has been moved to where the Ninomon gate once stood.[1][2][5]
06
Historical record
Turrets rebuilt, then repaired after the 2011 earthquake
The West Turret was rebuilt in 1991 and the East Turret in 1998; the East Turret now serves as a museum annex introducing the castle. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake knocked plaster off the turrets and caused other damage, which has since been repaired. In 2017 Tsuchiura was chosen as one of the Next 100 Fine Castles of Japan.[3][5][9][14]
The East Turret is rebuilt in wood as a museum annex[3][5]
Selected as No. 113 of the Next 100 Fine Castles of Japan[9][13]
Buildings and remains
The keep today
No keep was built
The castle never had a keep (the Japan Castle Foundation's list shows none). The honmaru was defended by earthen ramparts and water moats, with turrets and a gate tower.
The site today
The honmaru and part of the ninomaru are now Kijo Park in central Tsuchiura, and the Tsuchiura City Museum stands on part of the ninomaru. The outer moats and enclosures were filled in and are now city streets.
Main buildings
OriginalIbaraki Prefectural Historic Site (with the castle site)
Yagura Gate (Taiko Yagura Gate)
Said to have been rebuilt in 1656; dismantled and repaired in 1986–1987.[5]
Original
Kasumi Gate
The rear gate of the honmaru, described by the city museum as an Edo-period structure.[2][5]
Rebuilt in wood
East Turret
Lost to fire in the Meiji era and rebuilt in 1998. Now a museum annex.[3][5]
Rebuilt in wood
West Turret
Damaged by a typhoon in 1949 and dismantled; rebuilt in 1991. Closed inside.[5]
Original, relocated
Old Maekawaguchi Gate
Moved to the site of the ninomaru's Ninomon gate.[5]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Flatland castle (hirajiro)built on flat ground, defended by moatsEditorial article
Period
Medieval (c.1185–1570s), Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
No keep was builtthe castle never had a keepEditorial article
Built
1429Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Matsudaira clan, Oda clan, Kutsuki Clan, Tsuchiya clanJapan Castle Foundation
Ibaraki Prefectural Historic Site (Tsuchiura Castle site and Yagura Gate) (1952)Editorial article
Selection
Next 100 Fine Castles No. 115Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Open to visitors
Kijo Park is free to walk around. Entry to the East Turret (a museum annex) requires a ticket shared with the Tsuchiura City Museum. The West Turret is closed inside. The Next 100 Castles stamp is in the East Turret; when it is closed on Mondays, the stamp is available at the Machikado Kura Daitoku visitor center.
About 15 minutes on foot from the West Exit. By bus, take one from stop 4 or 5 at the West Exit, get off at Kijo Koen-mae, and walk 1 minute.[4][5]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Hours and admission
Tsuchiura City Museum and its annex, the East Turret of Tsuchiura Castle
Hours
9:00–16:30
Closed
Mondays (open if a national holiday), the day after a national holiday, the New Year holidays, and occasional closures for exhibition changes
Admission
Adults 200 yen (150 yen each for groups of 20+); free for high school students and younger. One ticket covers both the museum and the East Turret. Cash only.[2][6]
Checked: 2026-10-03
By car / parking
There is a museum-only lot (13 cars) and a second lot shared with Kijo Park (38 cars). About 10 minutes from the Tsuchiura-kita or Sakura-Tsuchiura exits of the Joban Expressway. Groups coming by bus should contact the museum at least a day ahead.[4]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
Allow 40 minutes to an hour to walk the park and visit the East Turret, or about 1.5 hours if you add the museum.
Steps, slopes and footing
The park is flat with no major slopes. Stone steps lead up the rampart to the East Turret's entrance.[4]
Wheelchairs and strollers
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Not confirmed
English signs / audio guide
The museum offers downloadable English and Chinese leaflets (PDF) about the castle and the museum. The fees printed on them are out of date; admission is now 200 yen for adults and free for high school students and younger. English signage on site is not confirmed.[15]
Seasons
The park's cherry trees bloom from late March to early April.[12]
Photography
Not confirmed
Works, closures and restrictions
The East Turret closed for urgent repairs to its entrance step but has been open as usual since March 27, 2026.[8]Checked: 2026-10-03
Suggested routes
One hour: Kijo Park and the old merchant storehouses 60 min
Pass through the Yagura Gate and stroll the honmaru and its moats in Kijo Park (about 30 minutes)
Walk to Machikado Kura Daitoku on the old Mito Kaido highway to see a merchant storehouse and displays on Tsuchiura's fireworks history (about 30 minutes)
Based on the first half of Tsuchiura City's official short walking course. Does not include the walk to and from the station (about 15 minutes each way). Add time if you visit the East Turret or the museum.
A visitor center in the storehouses of a former kimono merchant, dating from the late Edo period, on Nakajo-dori along the old Mito Kaido highway. It has displays on the history of Tsuchiura's fireworks competition, and keeps the Next 100 Castles stamp on days the East Turret is closed.[1][7][11]
A merchant townhouse on the old Mito Kaido highway with a fireproof storehouse-style main house and shop, designated a Cultural Property by Ibaraki Prefecture.[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 anyone curious about a lowland castle defended by water and earth rather than tall stone walls, or who wants to see an original Edo-period gate up close. It is a flat park within walking distance of the station, so it makes an easy stop.
What makes it interesting
The highlight is the honmaru's Yagura Gate. Compare it with the rebuilt East and West Turrets to see how an original Edo-period building differs from modern reconstructions. Inside the East Turret are displays on the castle.
Before you go
This castle never had a keep. The East Turret and the museum close on Mondays and the day after national holidays, and only take cash. The outer moats and enclosures have vanished under the town, so use the museum's displays and old maps to picture the castle's full size.
Ways to enjoy it
As you walk along the moat, picture the main enclosure as a turtle floating on water. One ticket covers both the museum and the East Turret, so visit both, then stroll to the old storehouses on the Mito Kaido highway to see how the castle and its town fit together.
Photos
Visitor reviews
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Open questions
Who founded the castle is unclear: the museum leaflet says it was reportedly built by the Wakaizumi clan around the late Muromachi period, while the Japan Castle Foundation lists the Sugaya clan with a question mark.
The museum leaflet gives 1991 for the West Turret's reconstruction, while Wikipedia gives 1992. This article follows the leaflet.
The claim that it is the only surviving main-enclosure gate tower in Kanto comes from Tsuchiura City and its museum. The heritage designation of the Kasumi Gate could not be confirmed in official sources.
Park hours, toilet locations, accessibility details, parking fees and photo rules could not be confirmed.
Miyuki MeinakaCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons
