# Kanō Castle

- **Country:** Japan
- **Location Text:** Gifu, Gifu

Kanō Castle is a historic hirajirō-style Japanese castle located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Originally constructed in 1445 by Saitō Toshinaga, the site was abandoned before being revitalized following the Battle of Sekigahara. In 1602, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered his son-in-law, Okudaira Nobumasa, to relocate from the dilapidated Gifu Castle and establish a new administrative center on this strategic site. Completed rapidly in 1603 with resources contributed by various regional lords, the fortress served as the governing hub for the Kanō Domain throughout the Edo period. Its location was critical for controlling transportation routes between Mino Province and the Kansai region, specifically facing the Nakasendō highway.

The architectural layout of Kanō Castle was distinctive, featuring a long, narrow design surrounded by a double moat system that utilized nearby rivers for natural defense. Notably, it lacked a traditional main keep; instead, a large three-story turret transferred from Gifu Castle functioned as the central tower until its destruction in 1728. The main enclosure's unique square shape with a protruding outer box became a template for other early Tokugawa fortifications, earning it the classification of a "Kanō-type castle." The adjacent castle town and post station flourished under its protection, solidifying its role as a regional powerhouse.

Today, the original structures have long since vanished, with the castle officially demolished in 1871 during the Meiji Restoration. However, the site remains open to the public and preserves significant historical elements, including stone walls and the foundation of the former main tower. Recognizing its cultural importance, the Japanese government designated the ruins as a National Historic Site in 1983. While no buildings remain standing, the earthworks and layout offer visitors a tangible connection to the early Edo period and the strategic military planning of the Tokugawa shogunate.

![Photo of Kanō Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Site_of_kano-castle.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanō_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)