Partners Information: Also known as Kofu Castle, Maizaru Castle was constructed by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three great unifiers of Japan, after the downfall of the powerful Takeda Clan at the end of the 16th century. Today, Maizuru Castle Park comprises one section of the castle ruins.
Once covering a large area of 20 hectares, it was originally used as an important strategic base to counter the forces of Ieyasu Tokugawa, another one of the three great unifiers of Japan, in the Kanto region. However, even after the Tokugawa regime became established, the castle continued to be used as an important defensive stronghold.
Nowadays, Maizuru Castle is popular tourist attraction, standing as a symbol of Kofu City. With its gates and turrets restored, and the original stone wall still standing from the time it was built, many parts of the castle are worth seeing.
Additionally, from the turret overlooking the vast Kofu land basin, Mt. Fuji can even be seen in the distance! In the springtime, around 160 sakura trees blossom in the park, making it an especially popular location for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).
