If you have more time, how about visiting the ruins of Hikema Castle which now becomes a Toshogu Shrine. You can see a view and good location of the present Hamamatsu Castle in the distance.
The ruins of Hikema CastleThe Toshogu Shrine
I also recommend visiting ruins regarding the Battle of Mikatagahara such as Saigagake valley. You can still see the deep valley at 13m, which was originally about 40 m. There is the Saigagake Museum beside the valley, where you can learn Ieyasu’s life.
The present Saigagake ValleyThe diorama of Ieyasu going to the battlefield. exhibited by the Saigagake Museum
There is also the monument of the battle, about 10km north from the museum.
the monument of the Battle OF Mikatagahara
Later History
After the Meiji Restoration, Hamamatsu Castle was abandoned and all the castle buildings were demolished. The Many parts of the castle were turned into a city area and only the central part remained as an observation platform. After World War II, Hamamatsu City bought and opened it as Hamamatsu Castle Park. The city is considering restoring the past castle.
The rebuilt Main TowerThe restored Main Tower Gate
My Impression
I once thought the remaining stone walls of Hamamatsu Castle were built by Ieyasu. However, I learned that the legacies of the castle come from many clans and periods. I also learned that the castle still has a lot of mysteries. I hope that these mysteries will be solved one by one through the excavation and studies in the future.
The remaining stone walls of the Main Tower EnclosureThe rebuilt Main Tower seen over the stone walls of the Main Tower Enclosure
How to get There
If you want to visit the castle by car, it is about 30 minutes away from Hamamatsu IC on the Tomei Expressway. There is a parking lot for visitors in the park. By public transportation, it takes about 20 minutes on foot from the JR Hamamatsu Station. To get to Hamamatsu Station from Tokyo or Osaka: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express.
The small size Imitation Main Tower is on the original stone walls base.
Features
To Park Entrance
Today, Hamamatsu Castle has been developed as Hamamatsu Castle Park. The Main Tower Enclosure and part of the Main Enclosure remain in the park. If you walk to the park from Hamamatsu Station, you will see the Hamamatsu City Hall, which was part of the Second Enclosure in the past, on the left. You can enter the road to the entrance of the park in the north of the hall. You will see the ruins of the Main and Second Enclosures being excavated over the fence on the right.
The map around the castle
The Hamamatsu City HallThe entrance to Hamamatsu Castle ParkThe road to the parkPart of the Main and Second Enclosures under excavation
You will reach the wall of the cross section of the Main Enclosure, which was cut in the present time, so you will need to go around to the left or right corner of the wall to enter the park. No matter which entrance you choose, you’d reach the remaining part of the main enclosure. There is a statue of Ieyasu Tokugawa, and the ruins of the Fujimi Turret on the earthen walls.
The signpost of the park entrance in front of the wall of the cross section of the Main EnclosureGoing to the Main Enclosure through the right side entranceThe inside of the Main EnclosureThe statue of Ieyasu TokugawaThe ruins of the Fujimi Turret
Remaining Old style Stone Walls
The highlight of the castle is the remaining stone walls of the Main Tower and Main Enclosures. They were basically piled using natural stones, one of the earliest methods for castles’ stone walls, called Nozura-zumi. They look very old and Yoshiharu Horio originally built them
A view of the Main Tower Enclosure from the ruins of the Fujimi TurretThe stone walls of the Main Tower Enclosure
If you look at the back side of the enclosure, you will also find these stone walls were built on the upper part of natural terrain. This is another early method, called Hachimaki-Ishigaki or the Headband Stone Walls, when the techniques for high stone walls weren’t developed. These stone walls were also bent elaborately like a folding screen, called Byobu-ore. This structure allowed the defenders to do direct attack from some points of the stone walls when enemies would attack the castle.
The Headband Stone Walls at the back side of the Main Tower EnclosureThe stone walls like a folding screen
The Main Tower Gate was recently restored in 2014 in a traditional way, based on the achievement of the excavation. You can not only go though the gate but also enter the inside of it.
The restored Main Tower GateThe entrance to the inside of the gate
Main Tower is rebuilt smaller than Original
Apart from it, the Rebuilt Main Tower on the remaining stone wall base has been a symbol of the castle since it was built in 1958. The reason why we call it “Rebuilt”, and not “Restored”, is the unknown original Main Tower and that, in fact, the tower looks much smaller for the stone wall base. Perhaps it is because there was not enough budget for a tower which fits the base.
The small Rebuilt Main Tower on the original stone wall baseThe comparison of the sizes between the rebuilt tower and estimated original one, exhibited in the Rebuilt Main Tower
However, you can enter the tower, learn about the castle, and enjoy a view of Hamamatsu City, as the tower is used as a historical museum and observation platform.
The excavated well for the original tower, exhibited in the Rebuilt Main TowerAn exhibition in the Rebuilt Main TowerA view of the city area from the observation platform
