The 50th road station between Tokyo and Kyoto, Minakuchi Castle (sometimes called Mizuguchi or Hekisui) was built in 1634. While it is a shadow of its former self, you can still imagine the work of the thousands of labourers and carpenters in constructing this beautiful yet simple castle and moat on the old Tokaido Highway. Modelled on Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Minakuchi is also associated with Kobori Masakazu, who taught the Enshu-ryu style of tea ceremony to Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa Shogun. If you are visiting Minakuchi Shrine on April 19 and 20, keep your eyes out for the local Hikiyama festival, with floats and evening lanterns much like the Gion Matsuri.
Getting there
Minakuchi Castle is a five-minute walk northeast of Minaguchijonan Station and is a short drive from the Koka (or Koga) Ninja Village and the Minakuchi Seiyu Shopping Center which is open 24 hours a day.
