What remains at Futamata Castle Ruins today?

The site features impressive stone walls, earthwork fortifications, moats, and the foundation of the main keep displaying nozurazumi stonework. The Honmaru (main bailey) has become a square area with remaining stone walls, and visitors can see the Asahigaoka Shrine located in the Kitakuruwa (northern enclosure). One of the most interesting aspects is how you can observe the transition from a medieval earthwork castle to a more modern stone-walled fortress, with defensive features including large tatebori (vertical trenches) and horikiri trenches cut through bedrock. However, no original buildings survive on the site.

Is there an admission fee to visit Futamata Castle Ruins?

No, admission to Futamata Castle Ruins is completely free. The site is open year-round for visitors to explore at their own pace. Facilities at the site include parking and restrooms.

What is the best season to visit Futamata Castle Ruins?

Autumn is particularly recommended for visiting, as the Honmaru area and surrounding flower gardens display beautiful autumn colors with maple trees. The combination of historic stone walls against the backdrop of colorful foliage creates an especially scenic atmosphere. Spring and early summer are also pleasant times to visit with comfortable temperatures for exploring the hilltop ruins.

How long should I plan to spend at the castle ruins?

The recommended visiting time is 1-2 hours, which allows sufficient time to explore the main bailey, stone walls, earthwork defenses, and the shrine area. Many visitors combine their trip with nearby Tobayama Castle ruins, which can be reached by walking across the embankment along the river, allowing you to visit both sites in a half-day excursion.

Can I visit other castles nearby on the same day?

Yes, Futamata Castle pairs well with Tobayama Castle, which is located on an adjacent hill separated by the Futamata River and was originally built as a siege base against Futamata Castle. With good timing, you can visit all three major castle sites in the area—Futamata Castle, Tobayama Castle, and Hamamatsu Castle—in one day by using the local train lines, starting from Futamata Honmachi Station and ending at Nishikajima Station.

Shizuoka

Futamata Castle Ruins

3.9 (468)CastleHistorical PlaceTourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Mar 28, 2026

Futamata Castle Ruins stands on a strategic hilltop at the confluence of the Tenryū River and Futamata River in Tenryū-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Originally built in 1503 by the Imagawa clan, this fortress became a critical battleground during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. The site earned recognition as a National Historic Site in 2018 together with the adjacent Tobayama Castle.

The castle witnessed numerous conflicts between the powerful Imagawa, Takeda, and Tokugawa clans throughout the 16th century. In October 1572, Takeda Shingen captured the castle after a month-long siege in which his forces destroyed the garrison's water supply system by sending rafts down the Tenryū River to smash the water-scooping tower. The fortress finally returned to Tokugawa control in 1575 after a six-month siege. The castle holds particular historical significance as the place where Tokugawa Ieyasu's eldest son and heir, Matsudaira Nobuyasu, was ordered to commit seppuku in 1579 on suspicion of conspiracy with the Takeda clan. The castle was abandoned in 1600 after its commander was transferred to another province.

Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved stone walls and earthwork fortifications that showcase the castle's evolution from a medieval structure to a more modern fortress. The main attraction is the Honmaru (main bailey) site, which features remaining stone walls and offers views of autumn foliage. The ruins include earthworks, moats, and the Asahigaoka Shrine located in the Kitakuruwa northern enclosure. The site displays impressive nozurazumi stonework including the main keep foundation, and visitors can observe how earthwork defenses were upgraded with stone walls during later renovations.

The castle is accessible from Tenryu Futamata Station on the Tenryu Hamanako Line, approximately 10 minutes walk northeast from the station. Visitors traveling from Hamamatsu should take the Enshu Line to Nishikajima Station (22 minutes), then transfer to the Tenryu Hamanako Line. The site includes parking facilities and restrooms. Admission to the ruins is free and the site is open year-round. The recommended visiting time is 1-2 hours.

Website

www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp

Overview

Address

990 Futamatachō Futamata, Tenryū Ward, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3314, Japan

Website

www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp

Traveler reviews

Tens of sharp staircases to conquer before you can reach the hilltop.

tsaiti chen

Feb 21, 2026

We experienced nostalgia. We could feel ancient Samurai's life.

goshita

Mar 20, 2025

Loved the view❤️❤️

cecille Ibanez

Dec 11, 2021

Good

マスターアバランチェ

Jan 10, 2022

It is known as the mountain castle where Takeda Shingen and Katsuyori fought battles against Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Sengoku period, and also as the castle where Ieyasu's eldest son, Nobuyasu, committed seppuku. Built on a natural fortification surrounded by the Tenryu River, looking out over the Tenryu River from the Honmaru (main keep), it's clear that the castle is perched on a sheer cliff. You can also clearly hear the sound of the Tenryu River flowing. In addition to the Honmaru (main keep), the Kitanomaru (northern keep), Ninomaru (second main keep), Minaminomaru I and II, as well as the moats and earthworks between them, are well preserved, which was fascinating. However, Minaminomaru II was overgrown with bushes, making it difficult to access. There is a footpath that leads from Futamata Castle to Tobayama Castle, and although it is a bit of a distance, there was a time when Ieyasu had his headquarters at Tobayama Castle and was facing off against the Takeda forces, so it's worth walking there just to get a sense of that distance. This time, we started from Futamata Honmachi Station and walked around various places, from Futamata Castle to Toba Castle, which took about two hours at a leisurely pace.