Get to know the castle
Castle at a glance
- Site & layout
- Hill-and-plain castle with a summit main enclosure
- Origins
- Construction began 1601; surviving keep rebuilt 1749
- Builders & patrons
- Yamauchi Kazutoyo and the Yamauchi family
- Other names
- —
- What remains today
- Historic keep, main palace, Otemon Gate and other buildings; stone walls
THE STORY
The story behind the walls
Yamauchi Kazutoyo began construction in 1601 after entering Tosa. The castle was largely complete by 1611. A major fire in 1727 destroyed many buildings, leading to a rebuilding programme. The present keep was completed in 1749. Preserved with the main palace, gates and other structures, it conveys a connected Edo-period castle environment.
LAYOUT & ARCHITECTURE
Read the landscape and the buildings.
The keep connects with the main palace, linking defence with residential and administrative space. The surviving group of buildings reveals relationships that a lone keep cannot show. Looking up from Otemon Gate also makes the height difference between entrance and central enclosure apparent.
A CLOSER LOOK
Details worth a closer look.
Surviving keep
The present keep is an Edo-period rebuilding after a major fire. Its status refers to an Edo-period structure surviving today, rather than an unchanged original foundation building.
Main palace
The palace adjoining the keep and the inner compound’s buildings survive. The rooms and route to the keep help explain the compound’s functions.
Otemon Gate
From the main gate area, the gate and keep can be seen together. The view links the lowland entrance with the elevated centre of the castle.
THROUGH THE YEARS
A short timeline
- 1601
Yamauchi Kazutoyo begins construction.
- 1727
A major fire destroys many castle buildings.
- 1749
The surviving keep is completed.
BEFORE YOU GO
A note before you go.
Conservation work can change the visitor route. Check the official site for access to the keep and palace.
Information checked: 27 September 2026
Sources & official information
Some official sources are available in Japanese only.
