Kakegawa-jo was first established in 1513 by Asahina Yasuhiro. In 1569 his descendent, Asahina Yasutomo lost the castle to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s forces. Tokugawa placed Imagawa Yoshitada and his son Yasumichi in charge of the castle. In 1590 the area was absorbed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who replaced the Imagawa with Yamanouchi Kazutoyo. Yamanouchi renovated the castle and donjon into what you see today. After the Battle of Sekigahara, the castle was controlled by the Tokugawa until it was torn down after the Meiji Restoration.
The museum in the main keep does not have many artifacts but the displays are very well done. The combination of a nicely reconstructed main keep, an original palace and a few other gates and buildings really make this castle a must see for castle fans.
Admissions are ¥400 for adults and ¥150 for elementary and junior high schoolers
Junior high schoolers : Free on Saturdays
Handicapped : Free
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