Japan Castle Atlas

Tokugawa Yorifusa

徳川頼房

The eleventh son of Tokugawa Ieyasu and founder of the Mito Tokugawa line. He made Mito Castle his seat and expanded the castle and its town.

Years: 1603–1661

Historical record

Story

The Japan Castle Foundation lists Yorifusa among the builders of Mito Castle, with a rebuilding in 1625. Out of deference to the shogunate the castle had no official keep; a turret with three roofs outside and five floors inside served as one.

Connected castles

The Ote-mon main gate at the end of the Ote Bridge (August 2024). The gate was rebuilt in wood in 2020.

In-depth article

Mito, Ibaraki

Mito Castle

水戸城

The castle of the Mito Tokugawa, one of the shogun's three senior branch families, defended not by stone walls but by deep moats and earthen ramparts.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 16CastleHilltop

Souka KinmeiCC0Wikimedia Commons

first Mito Tokugawa lord; rebuilt the castleRecord source: article

In-depth article

Mito, Ibaraki

Mito Castle

水戸城

The castle of the Mito Tokugawa, one of the shogun's three senior branch families, defended not by stone walls but by deep moats and earthen ramparts.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 16CastleHilltop

Souka KinmeiCC0Wikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: jokaku

In-depth article

Mito, Ibaraki

Mito Castle

水戸城

The castle of the Mito Tokugawa, one of the shogun's three senior branch families, defended not by stone walls but by deep moats and earthen ramparts.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 16CastleHilltop

Souka KinmeiCC0Wikimedia Commons

Rebuilt / expandedRecord source: wikipedia