8 Castles in Kanagawa worth your time

Explore 15th-century castle ruins with earthworks and moats, now a designated historic park.

What it is

• A former castle, built in the late 15th century.
• Abandoned in 1590, now a designated historic site.
• Part of the Kohoku New Town archaeological sites.
• Developed into Chigasaki Castle Ruins Park.

What to see

• Remains of baileys and earthworks.
• Traces of dry moats.
• Bases of former watchtowers.

When to go

• Park opened to the public on June 28, 2008.

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Explore Tamanawa Castle ruins, a former naval base and Hojo clan fortress, now a girls' school.

What it is

• A castle built in 1512 by Ise Moritoki.
• Also known as Amanawa Castle.
• Served as an important base for naval forces.
• Designated as a special green space conservation area.

What to see

• The castle ruins, now a girls' school.
• A historical museum, Tamanawa Rekishikan, is nearby.

Getting there

• Nearest railway station is JR Ofuna Station.

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Explore Masugata Castle ruins, a historic hilltop site with an observatory and scenic views.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle built by Inage Saburo Shigenari.
• Abandoned after the Sengoku period, now castle ruins.
• Part of Ikuta Ryokuchi Park in Kawasaki City.

What to see

• Castle ruins on the tip of the Tama Hills.
• Cliffs surrounding the former castle site.
• Masugata-yama Observatory built on the ruins.
• Earthworks built by Yokoyama Shikibu Shosuke Hironari.

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Explore Japan's first stone-walled castle in Kanto, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590.

What it is

• A castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590.
• Also known as Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle.
• First fully stone-walled castle in the Kanto region.
• Now a historical park, opened to the public in 1990.

What to see

• Remains of the castle's stone walls.
• Site of a tea ceremony held by Hideyoshi.
• A National Historic Site since 1959.

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Explore Shinohara Castle ruins, a mountaintop fortress near Shin-Yokohama, for a glimpse into samurai history.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Kaneko Castle.
• It was a yamashiro, a mountain castle.
• Lord Kaneko Izumo, a Hojo clan vassal, resided here.

What to see

• Earthen embankments are preserved.
• Baileys are preserved in the green space.

Getting there

• Near the east exit of Shin-Yokohama Station.

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Explore the remains of a 14th-century castle, now a park, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle, now a historic site.
• Designated a Kanagawa Prefectural historic site.
• Maintained as Shiroyama Park since its discovery.
• Used from the 14th to 15th centuries.

What to see

• Remains of baileys, moats, and earthworks.
• Unearthed artifacts like kawarake and kasya.

Read more about Hayakawashiro Castle

Odawara Castle is a historic Japanese castle with a rebuilt keep and impressive moats.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• It was the base of the Hojo clan.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006.

What to see

• Triple-layered structure with moats.
• The current main keep is reinforced concrete.

Official site

odawaracastle.com

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Explore Kozukue Castle ruins, a historic hirayamajiro-style castle site with scenic green spaces.

What it is

• A hirayamajiro-style Japanese castle.
• Built around 1438-1439 by the Uesugi clan.
• Functioned as a base for the Hojo clan.
• Designated a Continued Top 100 Japanese Castle.

What to see

• Castle ruins maintained as a citizens' forest.
• Special green space conservation area.

Read more about Kozukue Castle