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Sumpu Castle Park is located in the center of Shizuoka City, the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture. It takes only one hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen(bullet train). The total area of this park is around 430,000 square meters which is 10 times as large as Tokyo Dome Stadium.

This castle was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1589, who was known as the first shogun of the Edo Period. He spent his young days here in Shizuoka as a hostage at the Imagawa Family. He succeeded in unifying Japan in 1603 and set up the shogunate government in Edo, currently Tokyo. After he abdicated as shogun in 1605, he moved back here and spent his last days in Sumpu Castle. 

In 1949 after World WarⅡ,the site of Sumpu Castle came under the authority of Shizuoka City. Later it was named the Sumpu Castle Park, which is now a favorite place of rest and relaxation for local residents. In spring beautiful cherry blossoms and colorful azaleas delight the eyes of visitors to the park.

This castle was once consisted of a big keep, a palace, and a seven-story donjon, however they were damaged by fires and earthquakes. Now the compound of the castle includes a gate, two arsenal towers, three moats and a Japanese garden.

 East Gate
This gate is located as an entrance to the second bailey. It was designed to protect the inner areas. Only high ranking samurais were allowed to use the bridge and the gate. It was rebuilt in 1996, taking 10 years to complete. It cost approx. million yen. The same method and materials were used to rebuild it exactly the one as it used to be. In accordance with the traditional architecture, no nails were used. 

 Tatsumi-yagura Arsenal Tower
Tatsumi represents dragons and snakes based on the Chinese Zodiac. It indicates the direction of southeast. Yagura was used as a storage of weapons and also a watchtower. On the roof, shachihoko, an imaginary fish is displayed as a guardian to prevent the castle from fire. This towert was reconstructed in 1989. It cost approx. million. This tower is now used as an archives building. At the entrance, statue of Ieyasu welcomes you. It exhibits blueprints of the castle, a miniature of Sumpu Castle and surrounding neighborhood, Ieyasu’s suit of armo r and so on. You can see rock chute and lattice windows from inside. You can’t miss the replica of Ieyasu’s study where he used to study in his childhood.

 Hitsujisaru-yagura Arsenal Tower
Hitsujisaru represents sheep and monkeys. It indicates the direction of southwest. It looks like a two-story arsenal tower, but it has three stories inside. It was faithfully rebuilt in 2014 based on some archives. It was open to the public recently. Here you can enjoy a hands-on activity which is called Mix Reality. You might feel as if you were in a time tunnel, with special goggles on. 

 Momijiyama Japanese Garden
Momijiyama means Mt. Maple. This garden consists of four gardens: Garden of Village, Garden of the Sea, Garden of the Mountain Village, and Garden of the Mountain. It offers you the charm of all seasons with beautiful seasonal flowers and blossoms. There are tea rooms in it. After walking around the garden, please have a cup of green tea and feel the elegance of old Japan. 

Momijiyama Japanese Garden

You can visit some places related to Ieyasu all through this city. We recommend you to visit his mausoleum in Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, which was set up by the second Shogun Ietada, his son. You can also walk to the Sengen Shrine which was restored by the third Shogun Iemitsu, Ieyasu’s grandson. 

(By Prudence) 
＊Not only Prudence but also other FUSION members can guide you through the Sumpu Castle Park!