Kakegawa: Castle, Art and Tokaido History

Kakegawa Between the Castle and the Tokaido

Kakegawa’s history spans from its Muromachi-period castle to its Tokaido post station. The Imagawa clan commissioned their retainer Asahina to build Kakegawa Castle. Later, after the Tokugawa shogunate brought peace (1603–1867), Kakegawa became a post station on the Tokaido Road between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. The castle and post station therefore represent two distinct chapters in the city’s history.

Nissaka-shuku also preserves a tangible link to the old trade route: it is home to the only surviving Edo-period building at the 53rd rest stop on the Tokaido Road. Along with Kakegawa’s former role as a post station, this place offers another perspective on Tokaido history.

Tea Ceremonies and Art Collections

Ninomaru Tea House, a traditional Sukiya-style building, is located in Kakegawa Castle Park. Seasonal tea ceremony events are held there, including a Tanabata tea ceremony and a moon-viewing tea ceremony. Dates and programs may vary from year to year; if one of these events is important to your trip, check the specific dates in advance.

The Ninomaru Art Museum houses the Kinoshita Collection of fine crafts and the Suzuki Collection of modern Japanese paintings. The Kinoshita Collection comprises around 2,300 objects from the Edo to Meiji periods, including tobacco accessories, inro, sword fittings, calligraphy and paintings. The collection brings together different kinds of objects and artistic expressions from several eras.

The museum also presents around eight special exhibitions each year. They focus on fine crafts, modern Japanese painting and works by artists active in the region. This is an approximate figure; the exhibition schedule may also vary from year to year.

The Kakegawa City Stained Glass Museum offers another focus on art. It displays around 70 stained-glass works, many of which were made in English workshops in the 19th century. The museum also holds workshops on making stained glass. Alongside the collections and exhibitions, visitors can explore the practical craft of stained-glass making.

Family History, Cherry Blossoms and Street Life

Takenomaru was the former main residence of the Matsumoto family, who ran Matsuya, a wholesale business in kudzu fabric that had been in operation since the Edo period. The city of Kakegawa designated Takenomaru a cultural property on January 30, 2007; it opened to the public on May 30, 2009. The house’s history thus connects a former residence with the family’s trading history.

Each spring, around 130 cherry trees bloom around the castle, including Shikizakura, weeping cherry trees and Somei Yoshino cherry trees. The exact timing of the blossoms may vary. Seasonal tea ceremonies offer a different connection to the calendar: their dates and programs may change from year to year.

On Honjin Street, around two dozen stalls lined along both sides of the road form a village of their own. They sell local crafts and offer food. This stretch of street brings together culinary offerings and local handicrafts in a distinct Kakegawa-themed area.

Plan Your Arrival and Hotel Choice

Kakegawa Station is on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line, making it a useful reference point when planning your arrival. When looking for a hotel in Kakegawa, you can first consider your travel arrangements, then decide whether castle and Tokaido history, art or seasonal events should be the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Fujieda, Kosai, Fuji, Mishima, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Makinohara, Midaka

For the broader travel overview: Shizuoka Prefecture.