更新日：2024年1月5日

The transition of Hamamatsu Castle 1

Hamamatsu Castle repeatedly underwent expansions and alterations during the time when Ieyasu resided in it.

1. Hikuma Castle governed by the Imagawa clan (during the early 16th century)

Originally Hamamatsu Castle was Hikuma Castle, which was constructed around the 15th century.

It was constructed at the hilly area located along the west side of the old Hikuma post town (an area where travelers rested).

The original castle lord is unknown but the Iio clan ruled by the Imagawa clan served as the castle lords during the early 16th century.

The castle grounds have a square structure consisting of four baileys and there are still remains around the grounds of Tosho-gu shrine in Motoshiro, located north east of Hamamatsu Castle Park.

2. Ieyasu Tokugawa’s construction of Hamamatsu Castle (around 1580)

In 1570, (the 1st year of the Genki era in the Japanese calendar) after the fall of the Imagawa clan, Ieyasu Tokugawa moved from Okazaki in the Mikawa province (now the eastern part of Aichi prefecture) to Hamamatsu.

Hikuma Castle was then renamed Hamamatsu Castle and expanded, preparing the castle as a base in the frontlines to stop the invasion of Shingen Takeda.

Hamamatsu Castle is considered to have been practical as a military facility however there are no concrete records or illustrations remaining of Ieyasu’s time here.Recent archaeological excavations have revealed and clarified more of the castle’s outline.