A historical spot where you can enjoy a mountain castle from the Sengoku period and spectacular scenery.
🏯 Suwahara Castle Ruins
Suwahara Castle Ruins are the remains of a Sengoku period mountain castle located on the Makinohara Plateau in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Selected as one of the "Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles," it's a must-see spot for history buffs! ✨
Suwahara Castle is said to have originated when Takeda Shingen built a fort on this site. In 1573, Takeda Katsuyori ordered his retainer, Baba Nobuharu, to construct a full-fledged castle. It was an important base for advancing into Tōtōmi Province and also served as a castle to keep Tokugawa Ieyasu in check.
Later, in 1575, Tokugawa Ieyasu attacked and captured the castle, changing its name to "Makino Castle" and renovating it as a Tokugawa castle. Therefore, the interesting thing about these castle ruins is that features of both the Takeda and Tokugawa clans' castle construction remain. ⚔️
🌿 The Main Highlights: The "Marumadashi" and the Huge Moat
While walking around the Suwahara Castle Ruins, you should definitely pay attention to the crescent-shaped moat and the Maruumadashi. The Maru-umadashi (circular outwork) is one of the representative features of the Takeda-style castle construction, a defensive structure designed to protect the castle from enemies while simultaneously allowing troops to sortie outside.
Although the buildings themselves no longer exist, the remains of earthworks, moats, and baileys are beautifully preserved, making it easy to imagine, "This is where the Sengoku-era warlords defended!" 🏯✨
The large, curving moat is particularly impressive and makes for a highly photogenic Sengoku-era historical site.
🌄 The view from the castle ruins is also a must-see!
Another charm of the Suwahara Castle ruins is the view from the plateau.
The castle is located near the northern edge of the Makinohara Plateau, at an altitude of approximately 200m, with a steep cliff on the east side. Below, you can see the Oi River and the townscapes of Shimada and Fujieda, and on a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji! 🗻✨
The reason why a castle was built here becomes clear when you actually see the view.
📖 Visit the Visitor Center
The Suwahara Castle Visitor Center is located in the first parking lot of the castle ruins. It's a so-called "rear-fortified" castle, utilizing the natural terrain such as the Oi River and steep slopes. It's interesting because you can enjoy the scenery while also experiencing the topographical strategies of the Sengoku period.
📖 Visit the Visitor Center
The Suwahara Castle Visitor Center is located in the first parking lot of the castle ruins. It displays the castle's history and structure, as well as pottery and musket balls unearthed during excavations. There's also a diorama of the castle, which will help you understand the significance of the remains before walking around the site. ✨
Admission is free, and opening hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A stamp for the "Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles" is also available.
🚗 Access
Approximately 25 minutes on foot from JR Kanaya Station. Community buses are also available. By car, it's about 5 minutes from the Shimada-Kanaya Bypass/Kikugawa IC on National Route 1, about 9 minutes from the Sagara-Makinohara IC on the Tomei Expressway, and about 12 minutes from the Shimada-Kanaya IC on the Shin-Tomei Expressway. 
Free admission and free parking are also great advantages! 💰✨
Unlike the grand, restored castles, Suwahara Castle Ruins is a "castle that evokes the Sengoku period through its topography, moats, and earthworks." The history of the conflicts between Takeda Katsuyori and Tokugawa Ieyasu remains amidst the tranquil tea plantation landscape.
It's recommended not only for castle enthusiasts, but also for those who want to explore a slightly deeper historical spot in Shizuoka while enjoying stunning scenery. 📸🌿
The combination of tea plantations, a mountain castle, the Oi River, and Mount Fuji—all characteristic Shizuoka scenery—is another attractive feature. 🍵🗻