Takatenjin Castle Ruins

Old Japanese garden with a pond.

After Takatenjin Castle was taken over by the Takedas, Ieyasu Tokugawa had this semi-modern castle built as a base for recapture efforts. Its ruins now rest in a pleasant park setting.

A good rainy day outing, this 7000-m² indoor park houses many species of birds which fly freely throughout the enclosure, including owls, parakeets, conures, toucans, penguin, emu and assorted waterfowl. Visitors are encouraged to touch and interact with the birds, and there are opportunities to feed various kinds of bird, see owl, falcon, and eagle flight shows, and get souvenir photos with penguins. The park allows outside food for picnics, or serves a lunch buffet for ¥1380.

Kakegawa castle is the main attraction in Kakegawa. It was built in 1513 by Yasuhiro Asahina and lost to Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1569. The castle was torn down in the Meiji Era, so like the majority of such castles within Japan, it is not the original, but the remaining grounds are well-preserved and original, and the main keep was rebuilt in 1993 with the original techniques, materials, and specifications. The original daimyo's palace is still preserved here as well. The castle features regular exhibitions within the grounds and is popular on the weekends with tourists from all over the area.

Mainly for traditional Japanese art and handicraft.

Former inn preserved. Built in 1852.