Shinpu Castle was a Japanese hirayama-style fortress from the Sengoku period, situated in what is now Nirasaki, Yamanashi Prefecture. It served as the main stronghold of warlord Takeda Katsuyori. Designated as a National Historic Site in 1973, the castle occupies a strategic position on a mountain with steep cliffs, overlooking the Kamanashi River to the west of Kofu, where Takeda Shingen’s Tsutsujigasaki Castle once stood.
Following the death of his father, Takeda Shingen, Katsuyori initially expanded his territories into eastern Mino Province. However, after suffering a devastating defeat at the Battle of Nagashino against Oda Nobunaga’s matchlock-armed forces, in which he lost four of his top generals, the Takeda clan found themselves beset by hostile neighbors like the Oda, Tokugawa, Uesugi, and Odawara Hojo clans. Seeking a more defensible position, Katsuyori relocated his headquarters to Shinpu Castle in 1581, despite resistance from many of his vassals.
Shinpu Castle was built atop a hill formed by ancient lava flows from Mount Yatsugatake, with defenses stretching 500 meters north to south and 200 meters wide. Its inner bailey, positioned at the hilltop, connected to the main gate via a secondary bailey. The layout bore similarities to Tsutsujigasaki Castle. South of the central area was a third bailey, fortified by a clay wall, and the main gate featured additional protection in the form of a half-circular fortification with a dry moat. The northern side of the castle had further fortifications, including two barriers extending into a water moat. Construction was completed in just eight months under the supervision of Sanada Masayuki.
However, in early 1582, before the castle or its accompanying town were fully built, an alliance between Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu launched an invasion into the Takeda territories after the defection of Kiso Yoshimasa. Shinpu Castle, along with other Takeda strongholds, fell quickly to this advance. After the defeat at the Battle of Tenmokuzan, Katsuyori, with only 300-400 men left, abandoned and set fire to Shinpu Castle, retreating into the mountains in an attempt to reach Iwadono Castle. Despite advice from Sanada Masayuki to flee to Iwabitsu Castle, Katsuyori pressed on to Iwadono, only to be denied entry by Oyamada Nobushige, an old Takeda retainer. Facing no other option, Katsuyori committed suicide while his remaining forces delayed the pursuers.
Afterward, Oda Nobunaga sent Kawajiri Hidetaka to take control of Shinpu Castle while Tokugawa Ieyasu continued clearing out the remnants of the Takeda forces. The castle briefly became a Tokugawa stronghold before being abandoned and left to ruin. Today, no structures remain except for remnants of dry moats and earthenworks. A Shinto shrine now stands on the former site of the Inner bailey, and in 2017, the castle was listed among the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles. It is a 10-minute walk from Shinpu Station on the JR East Chūo Main Line.
See also
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Takato Castle
Takato Castle, located in the city of Ina in southern Nagano Prefecture, Japan, was a notable stronghold during the Sengoku period. By the end of the Edo period, it was the residence of a cadet branch of the Naito clan, the daimyo of the Takato Domain. Also known as Kabuto Castle, it was originally constructed in the 16th century and is now mostly in ruins.
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Takatenjin Castle
Takatenjin Castle was a yamashiro-style fortress from Japan's Sengoku period, situated in the Kamihijikata and Shimohijikata districts of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture. Designated a National Historic Site in 1975, with an expanded protected area in 2007, its ruins remain a significant historical landmark.
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Yoshida Castle
Yoshida Castle is renowned worldwide, particularly through the intricate woodblock prints by Edo Period artist Hiroshige. His famous series, depicting the 53 stages of the Tokaido—the historic route between Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo)—includes the 34th print, which shows workmen repairing a castle overlooking a wooden bridge crossing a wide river. This scene captures the Toyokawa River at Toyohashi in southeast Aichi Prefecture, and the castle is Yoshida Castle.
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Yamato Koriyama Castle
The impressive ruins of Koriyama Castle sit atop a small hill, surrounded by two rivers. The strategic positioning and strong layout of the castle served it well through the final years of the Sengoku period and the peaceful days of the Edo period.
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Yamanaka Castle
Yamanaka Castle, established by Hojo Ujiyasu in the 1560s, is located in what is now eastern Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. This castle served as the first line of western defense for the main Hojo Castle at Odawara. Carved into the side of a 586-meter-high mountain, Yamanaka Castle was strategically positioned along the Tokaido Highway, offering superb views of nearby Mt. Fuji, the ocean, and the road leading to Odawara.
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Uwajima Castle
Uwajima Castle, located in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, is one of the 12 remaining Japanese castles with an original keep. Known for its small size, Uwajima Castle is relatively difficult to access, which means it is less frequented by tourists.
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Ueda Castle
Ueda Castle in Nagano Prefecture once stood prominently on a cliff overlooking the Saigawa River. Also known as Amagafuchi-Jo, Isesaki-Jo, Matsuo-Jo, and Sanada-Jo, it was built around 1583 by its first master, Sanada Masayuki. This sturdy yet small fortress cleverly utilized the surrounding natural defenses, including the river, steep rocky cliffs, the layout of the town below, and the strategically designed waterways to hinder attackers. Ueda Castle was fortified with seven defensive yagura (watchtowers) atop robust stone walls and had two large gates with watchtowers above them.
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Tsuyama Castle
Tsuyama Castle, located in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, is celebrated as one of Japan's top three major hilltop (Hirayama) castles, alongside Himeji and Matsuyama Castles. Originally, Tsuyama Castle comprised 77 structures, including the main keep, various yagura (watchtowers), gates, palaces, and living quarters. For comparison, Hiroshima Castle had 76 structures, and Himeji had 61. The first castle on this site was built in 1441 but was soon abandoned. The large-scale construction that we recognize today began in 1603 under the orders of Mori Tadamasa. The castle served as the administrative base for the Tsuyama Han daimyo, the Mori clan from 1603 to 1697, and the Matsudaira clan from 1698 to 1871.
