Sumpu Castle Ruins and Park

Tokugawa Ieyasu lived in Sumpu (Shizuoka City) during three major periods of his life: as a child hostage of the Imagawa clan from 1549 to 1560; as a regional lord from 1586 to 1590, before his transfer to Kanto; and as a retired shogun in his final days from 1607 to 1616. He directed the construction and expansion of the Sumpu Castle Ruins and Park. During his retirement, Sumpu rivaled Edo politically and culturally. Today, the castle grounds remain Shizuoka City’s most prominent historical treasure. 

Sumpu Castle Ruins

Photo by: PIXTA/ or-kame

The roughly 178,000-square meter estate consists of three concentric moats bordered by stone walls. The innermost moat, Honmaru, served as the protective barrier for the core citadel of Tokugawa. It offers scenic waterfronts via boat tours. As the middle ring of the three defensive moats, the Ninomaru features connected angular bends and channels for strategic military safeguarding. Walkways swerve along its stone walls. The outer moat, Sannomaru, secured residences, government offices, and other facilities.

Watchtowers

Photo by: PIXTA/ taktak99

Higashi Gomon/Tatsumi Yagura

From the Masugata Gate (Higashi Gomon), an engraved stone-and-wooden bridge connects the main entrance of the castle to the east watchtower, called the Tatsumi Yagura. The striking facade of the courtyard reveals meticulous Japanese carpentry techniques and tiny slits through which soldiers threw stones or shot arrows at enemies. The three-story structure stands on an L-shaped layout, which was a rare architectural design at the time.

Hitsujisaru Yagura

Another defensive turret, the Hitsujisaru Yagura, stands out on the southwest side of the property. The tower emphasizes a dual-layered roof and traditional timber framing built entirely without nails. A distinct bay window construction, called an “ishi-otoshi” or stone drop, protrudes from the exterior walls. This functioned as a tactical mechanism to drop rocks or boiling water, or fire arrows and guns downward at attackers. Inside, the floorboards and ceiling panels were removed so visitors can inspect the exposed frames, pillars, and traditional joinery without obstruction. Behind the watchtower lies the Ninomaru Gomon Site, which leads to the second enclosure. 

Momijiyama Garden

Photo by: PIXTA/ shikema

Aesthetically designed yatsuhashi (zigzag) staggered wooden walkways allow various vantage points of the daimyo-styled landscape while strolling along the paths. Four principal sub-gardens define the overall layout. 

The Garden of the Village blooms with peonies, plums, and irises clustered around the zigzagged footpath. Toward the pond, the Garden of the Sea resembles the Hakone Pass and Izu Coast with its rock formations and pine thickets. As the centerpiece of the oasis, the Garden of the Mountain Village unveils a unique miniature grassy hill with terraced azaleas, representing Mount Fuji and Shizuoka’s tea fields. Visitors can climb the steps to the peak to catch a spectacular view of the entire garden. Finally, at the Garden of the Mountain, narrow trails, maple trees, and flowing waterfalls converge amid thick foliage.

Before leaving the park, savor Shizuoka green tea and sweets at the Ryurei-seki (table-style tea seating) facing the pond. There is also a large “sukiya” styled Unkai teahouse and a smaller Seigetsu-en teahouse for events like tea ceremonies and ikebana demonstrations.