Places Linked to Takeda Shingen

Takeda Shingen and the History of Kofu City

The Shingen Museum was opened in 2019, the same year as the 500th anniversary of the establishment of Kofu. It is located to the south of Takeda Shrine, which is the former site of the Takeda Residence, where Takeda Shingen lived. He was said to be the strongest military commander of Japan’s Warring States period (from the late 15th to the late 16th century).

Shingen Museum 

▲Exterior view of the Shingen Museum

Access the museum's website to get information about admission prices, operation hours, and more!

Shingen Museum website:
https://kofu-tourism.com/en/see-and-do/52

Permanent Exhibit (Free)
The Shingen Museum’s permanent exhibit is a panel display of the history of the Takeda family and the town of Kofu that prospered under their control (this display also has English explanations).

Special Exhibit (has entrance fee)
The special exhibit introduces the history of the Warring States period alongside artifacts discovered in an archeological excavation of the grounds of the Takeda residence.
In the Warring States period, the Takeda army was known for having the best cavalry in the country. During the archeological dig, the full skeletal remains of a contemporary horse was excavated from the site. This was the first time that a full horse skeleton in such good condition was discovered in Japan. A replica of the skeleton is on display in the special exhibit, and you can see that horses in the Warring States period were smaller than you might imagine.

Horita Old Castle Garden

The Horita Old Castle Garden is located right next to the Shingen Museum. The construction is Japanese style, from around 1930, and the fixtures (doors, screens, etc.) and window glass are all original to the building. When you take a step inside, you immediately notice the retro atmosphere. You can tour the inside of the building freely.

▲Horita Old Castle Garden

Yu Hime (Restaurant)

▲Yu Hime (restaurant)

There is a café called Yu Hime on the grounds of the Shingen Museum.
In addition to soba, udon, and ramen, they also serve ice cream topped with the Yamanashi specialty, Kikyo Shingen Mochi.

▲Restaurant menu (2019)

Takeda Shrine and the Takeda Residence Remains

▲Takeda Shrine

Takeda Shrine is located across the street from the Shingen Museum. This is where the hero of Yamanashi, Takeda Shingen, is enshrined. This is the place where three generations of the Takeda family actually lived. It is designated by the country as a historical site, and still has the moat and earthen walls for fortification, built in the Takeda Era (1519-1579).

▲Remains of the Takeda Residence, Main Entrance

▲Moat

▲Grounds

Kofu City is an old castle town where vestiges of the samurai era and the Warring States period still remain. Kofu is a great place to walk around and enjoy yourself while learning about samurais and Japanese history.