During the Warring States Period, Takeda Shingen ordered Yamamoto Kansuke, an important vassal and a master castle builder, to design the original Komoro Castle. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi united the country in 1590, Sengoku Hidehisa, a feudal lord of Komoro, undertook a major renovation of the castle and the castle town, and built the castle into the solid castle seen today. The castle is located lower than the castle town, making it one of the country's few "hole castles," and the main gate and stonewalls are still in place.
With the abolition of the han system in1872, the castle was converted into a modern park and renamed "Kaiko-en," which is dedicated to the Kaiko Shrine. The park includes cultural facilities such as the Memorial Hall of Toson, which depicts the Komoro days of Shimazaki Toson, a writer known for his works such as "The Broken Commandment" and "Before the Dawn," as well as the Koyama Keizo Museum of Art and the Takahama Kyoshi Memorial Hall, as well as a zoo, amusement park, and other attractions.
The global hit song "Ue wo muite arukou (Sukiyaki)" was written by the lyricist and broadcaster Rokusuke Ei, based on his memories of taking a walk around the Komoro Castle Ruins and Kaiko-en Garden while being evacuated to Komoro during World War II.
Highlights
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The pass allows access to all park facilities.
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The park is huge. So please first learn the map.
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The park has restaurants and shops.
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There is plenty of parking.
