Nagashino Castle

Nagashino Castle, located in Nagashino, Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture (formerly Shitara District, Mikawa Province), is a historic Japanese castle best known for the famous Battle of Nagashino in 1575 (Tenshō 3). Today, the ruins of Nagashino Castle are designated as a National Historic Site and have been developed into a historical park, attracting many history enthusiasts and travelers.

Geographically, Nagashino Castle was situated at a key strategic point connecting Higashi-Mikawa with Nagano, Shizuoka, and Gifu. It served as both a land traffic hub and an important water route via the Toyokawa River. The castle was originally built around 1508 (Eishō 5) by Suganuma Motonari, with his descendants succeeding as lords.

During the Sengoku period, the Suganuma clan of Nagashino once pledged allegiance to Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, in 1571 (Genki 2), under pressure from Takeda Shingen’s army, they submitted to the Takeda clan. After Shingen’s death and the withdrawal of Takeda forces, the Tokugawa army reclaimed Nagashino Castle, forcing Suganuma Masasada to surrender and resulting in the decline of the clan’s power.

Ieyasu reinforced Nagashino Castle as a key defensive stronghold against the Takeda. In May 1575, Takeda Katsuyori led 15,000 troops to besiege the castle, sparking the renowned Battle of Nagashino. After the battle, Tokugawa retainer Okudaira Nobumasa built Shinshiro Castle in 1576, and Nagashino Castle gradually fell out of use.

In the late Edo period, the area came under the control of hatamoto Isshiki Naooki, who established a jin’ya (residence/fortified headquarters) at Nagashino Castle’s second bailey. Today, remnants such as massive earthen ramparts can still be seen.

In 1918, Empress Kōjun (then Princess Nagako) visited the site and planted a pine tree with her own hands. In 1929, the ruins were designated a National Historic Site, and the Nagashino Castle Historical Museum was later established, displaying numerous artifacts and materials related to the Battle of Nagashino. In 2006, Nagashino Castle was selected as one of the Japan’s Top 100 Castles (No. 46).