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The palace of Kawagoe Castle

Travel Information

The palace of Kawagoe Castle (川越城本丸御殿) is one of the main tourist spot of Kawagoe, Saitama. Kawagoe Castle was built by Ota Dokan who also built Edo Castle in 1457. In 1546, Hojo, the lord of Sagami, took over this castle, and became very important castle to protect northern region for him. Later, when Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to Kanto, he gave this castle to Sakai Shigetada. Current building was built in 1848 by Matsudaira Naritsune, Kawagoe castle today is one of 100 best Japanese castles and 7 best castles of Kanto.

Tourist Info.
There is parking and restroom.
Admission: 100 yen for adult, 50 yen for student. Free under Junior. There is a group discount.
TIme: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Close on Monday. 4th Friday.

Access
0. Kawagoe Station.
1. walk north (15 min.)


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Detailed Travel Guide

The palace of Kawagoe Castle

Castle Type: Hilltop.
Built in: 1457 by Ota Michisane and Ota Dokan.
Class: Ruins (the palace remains).

Kawagoe Castle is one of 100 best Japanese castles and Seven Best Castle of Kanto Region. It was built in 1457 by Ota Doshin and Dokan family. This land was ruled by Uesugi clan during the early Sengoku period. Uesugi ordered Ota to built castle to against Ashikaga, the lord of Koga.

In 1537, Hojo clan, the lord of Sagami, took over this castle and it became the important castle to protect norther area of Hojo.

In 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Kanto and Hojo. Kawagoe Castle was defeated by Maeda Toshiie. After the fall of Hojo clan, Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to Kanto. He gave this castle to Sakai Shigetada.

In 1639, Matsudaira Nobutsuna became lord of this castle. He extended this castle. It has Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, four keeps, and 12 gates.

After the Meiji Restoration, it was abandoned.

The current building is the only remaining building of Kawagoe castle. It was built in 1848 by Matsudaira Naritsune.

Official Web site:http://museum.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/hommaru/