Takato Castle

Takato Castle (also known as Kabutoyama Castle) is located in Takato Town, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. It is designated as a National Historic Site and is renowned as one of Japan’s top cherry blossom viewing spots. The castle grounds are home to about 1,500 rare Takato Kohigan-zakura cherry trees, attracting large numbers of visitors each spring.

The castle was originally built by Takato Yoritsugu of the Suwa clan. In the mid-16th century, after Takeda Shingen expanded his influence into the Ina Valley, it became an important military base for the Takeda clan in Shinano. Historical records show that the castle was defended by Takeda Katsuyori, Takeda Nobukane, and Nishina Morinobu. In 1582 (Tenshō 10), during the Kōshū Campaign, Morinobu led 3,000 troops to resist Oda Nobutada’s army of 30,000. The defenders were ultimately annihilated, and the castle fell.

During the Edo period, Takato Castle served as the seat of Takato Domain, ruled successively by the Kyōgoku, Hoshina, and Torii clans, before coming under the Naitō clan in 1691. The Naitō ruled for eight generations until the Meiji Restoration. The castle retained much of its medieval layout, with a Tatsumi Yagura turret in the honmaru serving as a substitute for a tenshu (main keep), and long earthen walls and turret gates for defense. The castle town was relocated to the west during the Shōhō era, with winding streets designed to hinder enemy advances.

Today, the castle ruins have been developed into a park and are listed among the Japan Top 100 Castles. Each spring, the blooming cherry blossoms create a breathtaking pink panorama against the backdrop of the historic ruins, earning Takato Castle the title “Japan’s Best Cherry Blossoms”.