The ruins have become popular since the construction of the road.
Features
Parted Barbican
In fact, the ruins were partly destroyed and divided by the Daisan-Keihin Road. You can look at one of the barbicans over the road from the entrance of the Western Enclosure. You will have to go through the tunnel under the road to get there. The top of it is one of Fujizuka Mounds, called Fuji-sengen, made for worshiping Mt. Fuji since the Edo Period. It might had been a turret base before that. When you walk out of the ruins, you will get back to the city area right away.
The map around the castle
The Daisan-Keihin Road parting the ruinsClimbing the stairways after the tunnelThe Fujizuka Mounds on the barbicanyou will soon get back to the city area
Later History
After Kozukue Castle was abandoned, the local people have called the ruins Shiroyama or the Castle Mountain. The studies about the castle started as early as in the Edo Period. However, the ruins ironically became popular as a historic site since they were partly destroyed by the construction of the Daisan-keihin Road in 1963. Through that, Yokohama City launched the Kozukue Castle Ruins Forest to preserve them in 1977. People are now interested in what the castle was like in the past.
The ruins of Kozukue Castle and Daisan-Keihin Road
My Impression
I think Kozukue Castle is a good example of how to protect a castle with few defenders. I guess if a battle happened at Kozukue Castle when Hideyoshi invaded, this castle could survive at least over one night unlike Yamanaka Castle and Hachioji Castle.
The large dry moat in front of the Western Enclosure
How to get There
I recommend using a train when you visit the ruins because the park has no parking lot. It takes about 15 minutes on foot from JR Kozukue Station on the Yokohama Line.
Kozukue StationThe castle ruins seen from the platform of Kozukue Station
The Yokohama-Kamiasao Road (Kanagawa Prefectural Road 12) goes near the station, so turn right at the Kozukue Station Intersection and go along the street. Then, turn right at the Kozukuetsuji Intersection.
Turn right at the Kozukuetsuji Intersection
Go along the street again, cross the railway and turn left at the first intersection.
Cross the railwayTurn left right away
Go along the street in the residential area, and when you find the signpost for the ruins on the utility pole on the right, turn right. You will eventually arrive at the entrance of the ruins.
Turn right when you find the signpost on the utility pole (inside the red circle)The entrance of the ruins
Why would Kochi Castle maintain so many original buildings?
Features
Interior of Main Tower
The first floor of the tower has some equipment for defense, such as machicolations and loopholes for guns. In addition, there are also iron spikes outside the floor to prevent enemies from climbing the tower, which is the only remaining example in Japan.
From the Main Hall to the Main TowerThe first floor of the Main TowerOne of the machicolationsOne of the loopholes for gunsThe iron spikes outside the first floor
On the second floor, you can see lot of exhibitions about the castle like a miniature model.
The second floor of the Main Tower
The third floor is basically the attic of the hip-and-gable roof, but it has windows and space inside the roof for defenders who could counter attackers.
The third floor of the Main Tower
On the fourth floor, you can see one of the bronze grampuses on the roof close by through the window.
The forth floor of the Main TowerThe bronze grampuses seen through the window
The fifth floor is a very dark attic, by contrast, the top floor is open and bright where you can enjoy a great view of the castle and city to all directions. You can also walk around the veranda (another steel handrail was added for safety and preservation) like the lord of the castle used to do.
The fifth floor of the Main TowerThe top floor of the Main TowerThe veranda of the top floorA view from the top floor
Later History
After the Meiji Restoration, Kochi Castle was turned into Kochi Park. All the buildings in the Second and Third Enclosures were demolished while the buildings in the Main Enclosure and a few others remain. All the 15 remaining castle buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Properties since 1950. The castle also became a National Historic Site in 1959.
The Main Tower of Kochi Castle
My Impression
When I visited Kochi Castle for the first time many years ago, I misunderstood the reason for the small Main Hall in the Main Enclosure. I thought it was because Japanese people in the past were shorter and smaller than now. In my recent second visit, I understood its real reason. I guess if the hall was very large, it might have been demolished like the hall in the Second Enclosure when the castle once became the park. If it is true, fortune is unpredictable and changeable.
The interior of the Main Hall of the Main Enclsosure
How to get There
If you want to visit there by car: It is about 15 minutes away from Kochi IC on Kochi Expressway. There are several parking lots around the castle such as the Kochi Park Parking Lot. By public transportation, take the Tosaden Bus from JR Kochi Station and get off at the Kochijo-mae bus stop. If you go there from Tokyo or Osaka, I recommend traveling by plane or using an express bus.