Japan Castle Atlas

Takeda Shingen

武田信玄

A Sengoku-period daimyo of Kai Province (today's Yamanashi) who expanded into Shinano (today's Nagano), taking over and strengthening castles along the way.

Years: 1521–1573

Tradition

Story

After taking Komoro in 1554, Shingen saw how important the area was and, according to Komoro City, had his retainers Yamamoto Kansuke and Baba Nobufusa lay out a new design for the castle. This became the basis of Komoro Castle.

Connected castles

In-depth article

Komoro, Nagano

Komoro Castle

小諸城

To reach this castle you walk down from the town, not up: Komoro is a "hole castle."

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 26CastleHilltop

Asturio CantabrioCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

had it rebuilt as a Takeda strongholdRecord source: article

In-depth article

Nagano, Nagano

Matsushiro Castle

松代城

Takeda Shingen built it as his front line in the Kawanakajima wars, and the Sanada family later lived here for 250 years.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 24CastleFlatland

baku13CC BY-SA 2.1 jpWikimedia Commons

said to have had Kaizu Castle builtRecord source: article

The front of Takeda Shrine seen from Takeda-dori, May 2014. The red bridge crosses the residence's moat, with stone walls on either side. The shrine grounds are the site of the Takeda residence.

In-depth article

Kofu, Yamanashi

Tsutsujigasaki Castle

武田氏館

The residence where Takeda Shingen lived is now the grounds of a shrine where he is worshiped.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 29CastleFlatland

江戸村のとくぞう (Edomura no Tokuzo)CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

ruled Kai from the residence; now enshrined there at Takeda ShrineRecord source: article

In-depth article

Komoro, Nagano

Komoro Castle

小諸城

To reach this castle you walk down from the town, not up: Komoro is a "hole castle."

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 26CastleHilltop

Asturio CantabrioCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: jokaku

In-depth article

Nagano, Nagano

Matsushiro Castle

松代城

Takeda Shingen built it as his front line in the Kawanakajima wars, and the Sanada family later lived here for 250 years.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 24CastleFlatland

baku13CC BY-SA 2.1 jpWikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: jokaku

In-depth article

Takasaki, Gunma

Minowa Castle

箕輪城

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.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 18CastleHilltop

うなぎやCC0Wikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: jokaku