Japanese Castle guide in Japan castle Historical site Statue Introduction.

[Castle name]
Sunpu Castle
Occupied by Imagawa clan since Murumachi Bakufu, Occupied by Yoshimoto Imagawa and Tokugawa clan after Sengoku era

[Description]
Sunpu Castle built in Muromachi era when Imagawa clan took over the land of Suruga. After Imagawa clan became a Sengoku Daimyo from Shugo Daimyo, head of clan, Yoshimoto Imagawa was slain by Nobunaga Oda’s surprise attack (Battle of Okehazama).

His successor Ujizane Imagawa did not take revenge or control his ministers; making him a good prey for Shingen Takeda and Ieyasu Tokugawa. Ujizane never appeared in history after fleeing to Houjyo clan.

Started as just allies, Ieyasu Tokugawa was becoming one of advisors for Nobunaga. Ieyasu moved his base to Sunpu Castle after given control of Suruga and improved infrastructure of cities around the castle.

But after Hideyoshi Toyotomi took control of Japan, he was forced to move to Edo with an order to rule the Kanto region of today, which belonged to Hojo clan.

Ieyasu stayed in Sunpu Castle after retirement, but Tadanaga Tokugawa, brother of 3rd general Iemitsu ruled the area after Ieyasu’s death. Tadanaga could not give up his ambitions to become a shogun, and was forced to suicide in the end.

Sunpu Castle changed its owner several times till Meiji Restoration. Sunpu Castle in Suruga was the area given to Tokugawa clan by new government force after giving up Edo Castle.

[Address,access]

Sunpu Park, 1-1 Ooi-ku Shizuoka-Shi, Shizuoka 420-0855

[Map]