[Top 100 Castles of Japan – Extra Edition] Kiyosu Castle: A Family Guide to the Strategic Hub Where Oda Nobunaga’s Ambition Began

1. Essential Information Before Your Visit

2. [Local Report] Strategic Points and Fatherly Insights

The “Water Defense Line” Supporting Nobunaga’s Ambition: Gojo River and Ote Bridge

The first thing that catches your eye is the vibrant red “Ote Bridge” spanning the Gojo River. Analyzing the structure from a tactical perspective, it is clear how this river served as a natural outer moat, significantly boosting the defenses of Owari’s seat of power.
Crossing this bridge, I imagined the procession of Lady Nohime, who once traveled via the Minoji Road to marry Lord Nobunaga. Watching the river flow with my son, I told him, “A princess passed through here a long time ago.” It was a special moment of shared historical immersion, bringing the past into sharper focus.

The “Kiyosu-goe”: An Astonishing Project That Traced an Entire City

No discussion of Kiyosu Castle is complete without mentioning the “Kiyosu-goe” (Great Kiyosu Relocation) of the early Edo period. When Tokugawa Ieyasu built Nagoya Castle, the entire town of Kiyosu was moved to Nagoya, function by function.

• Thorough Rationalism: A massive historical project where they didn’t just move building materials and stone walls, but also shrines, temples, merchant houses, and even town names—essentially “copy-pasting” the entire city.
• The Link to Nagoya Castle: The “Kiyosu Yagura” (turret) at Nagoya Castle is said to be a relocated part of the original Kiyosu Castle keep.
  To be honest, the governance and logistical power required to achieve such a large-scale move with the technology of that time is mind-boggling from a risk management perspective. When I told my son, “Parts of the old Kiyosu Castle are actually used in today’s Nagoya Castle,” he was amazed, saying, “It’s like recycling!” While the current keep is a reconstruction, knowing the epic history of the “Kiyosu-goe” deepens the meaning of standing on this ground.

3. Family Travel & Kids Guide

Son’s Reaction:
My 8-year-old son was transfixed by the matchlock gun exhibit. He watched every video commentary with intense focus, organizing the flow of Sengoku history (from Okehazama to Sekigahara) in his own head. On the top floor, he even got to try beating a war drum like a samurai general. Seeing him enjoy history through his five senses was truly impressive.

Dad’s Advice:
Something unexpected happened in front of the statues of Lord Nobunaga and Lady Nohime in Kiyosu Park. Standing before the stone monument inscribed with a verse from the play “Atsumori,” my son began to recite fluently: “Man’s fifty years…”. A child’s ability to absorb information far exceeds a parent’s imagination. Taking the time to read the monuments and explanation boards together makes for the best parent-child dialogue.

4. Castle Tour Extras (Lunch & Souvenirs)

What we ate / What we bought:
As proof of our visit, we purchased a Kiyosu Castle limited edition commemorative medal.
Also, a small moment in “Pokémon GO”: I caught a Dynamax Inkay here and named it “Nohime” to mark the occasion. Combined with a Stantler I caught previously at Honno-ji Temple (nicknamed “Nobunaga”), I managed to recreate the Sengoku period’s most famous couple in my Pokémon party. This kind of playful touch adds extra flavor to the trip.

5. Recommended Nearby Spots

Places to visit together:

• Kiyosu Park & Kiyosu Old Castle Site Park
  Located opposite the current keep, this area features the statues of Nobunaga and Nohime, as well as a recreation of “Mount Okehazama.” This is the original site of the castle’s heart (Honmaru). Seeing the Shinkansen and Tokaido Main Line trains slice right through the castle ruins provides a unique sensation of history and modernity intersecting. If your child loves trains, they will be thrilled by how close the Shinkansen passes to the ruins.