Sunpu Castle Audio Guide
Sunpu Castle in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is the residence where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his later years as the retired shogun. Today it is maintained as Sunpu Castle Park, and its expansive moats and stone walls preserve the atmosphere of the former fortress. The main keep no longer exists, but reconstructed buildings can be visited…
Tap a button to hear the section.
Overview
Overview
Sunpu Castle, in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is known as the residence where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his later years as the retired shogun. Today the site is maintained as Sunpu Castle Park, and its broad moats and stone walls still convey the scale of the former stronghold. Although the main keep no longer survives, reconstructed structures—such as the East Gate (Higashi-gomon), Tatsumi Yagura, and Hitsujisaruyagura—are open to visitors and help you picture the castle’s size and layout in its heyday. The park also has lawns and seasonal flowers, making it a pleasant place not only for sightseeing but also for locals to relax. The contrast with the Shizuoka Prefectural Office building rising behind the grounds can feel like a modern keep reborn—an especially photogenic view.
Access
Access
Sunpu Castle Park is easy to reach by public transport: it’s about a 15-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Station. From the station’s north exit, head straight toward the prefectural office area to arrive at the park’s Otemon (main gate). By car, it’s roughly 20 minutes from the Tomei Expressway’s Shizuoka IC. Clear signage around the park makes it simple to visit key spots such as the East Gate (Higashi-gomon) and Hitsujisaruyagura. In recent years, the “Aoi Boat” (Aoi-bune) cruise that circles the moat has been operated year-round mainly on weekends and holidays; you can board at the Kitamon (North Gate) pier (please check the official website for confirmation of operating status).
Parking
Parking
There are many paid parking options around the park, including coin-operated lots near Shizuoka City Hall and the prefectural office. If you plan to focus on sights such as the East Gate (Higashi-gomon), Tatsumi Yagura, and Hitsujisaruyagura, the Otemon Parking Lot or the Shimin Bunka Kaikan (Civic Culture Hall) parking area nearby is convenient. During peak seasons and events, parking can fill up, so arriving early—or using public transport—is recommended.
Highlights
Highlights
Sunpu Castle’s highlights include reconstructed buildings such as the East Gate (Higashi-gomon) and Tatsumi Yagura. Tatsumi Yagura has an unusual L-shaped layout, and inside it functions as an exhibition space introducing the history of Sunpu Castle and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The “Aoi Boat” (Aoi-bune), which travels along the moat in front of Hitsujisaruyagura, offers a special perspective—looking up at the castle defenses from the water and appreciating their strength. Another fun point is the abundance of mason’s marks carved into the stone walls: more than 300 marks across roughly 150 types, making it enjoyable to search for them with a “kokuin (stone-mark) map.” Behind the park, the Shizuoka Prefectural Office building rises with an imposing presence, almost like a keep standing atop the stone walls, and it’s a popular photo spot. Pair your visit with the nearby Shizuoka City History Museum to enjoy even more of Sunpu Castle’s story and charm.
