Kiyosu Castle
Oda Nobunaga's primary base before Nagoya Castle, Kiyosu was once called the 'gateway to the realm.' A striking red-walled reconstructed keep now stands as a symbol of the city; the famous Kiyosu Conference after Nobunaga's death was held nearby.
| Japanese Name | 清洲城 |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Aichi Prefecture (愛知県) |
| Region | Chubu (中部) |
| Castle Type | Flatland Castle |
| Year Built | 15th c. |
| Designation | 続100名城 |
| Coordinates | 35.2, 136.8667 |
Kiyosu Castle earned its reputation as the "gateway to the realm" during its prominence as Oda Nobunaga's primary administrative and military base before his move to Nagoya Castle. This flatland fortress in Aichi Prefecture played a central role during Japan's critical period of reunification and remains recognized as a significant historical site among Japan's castles.
The castle's strategic importance extended beyond its physical fortifications to its role as a nexus of political power and decision-making during the tumultuous Sengoku period. Following Nobunaga's death in 1582, the castle became the site of the famous Kiyosu Conference, a crucial meeting where Nobunaga's successors negotiated the distribution of power and territories that would shape Japan's subsequent political development.
The striking reconstructed keep with its distinctive red walls stands as a modern symbol of the city's historical heritage while conveying the visual presence and authority that such castles projected across the landscape. The reconstruction faithfully represents the architectural style and grandeur associated with Nobunaga's castle, creating a tangible connection to the sixteenth-century power center.
Today the castle functions as a museum and cultural landmark accessible to visitors exploring this crucial period of Japanese history. The castle site and nearby historical landmarks commemorate the important events and figures that shaped the Kiyosu region's significance during Japan's transformation from fragmented feudal domains into a unified nation state.
Kiyosu Castle is recognized as one of Japan's second 100 castles as designated by the Japan Castle Foundation, a distinction that highlights its historical and architectural importance among the hundreds of castle sites across the country. As a flatland castle, its design reflects the defensive priorities and construction techniques of its era, with origins dating to 15th c. Visitors traveling to Aichi Prefecture can explore the site alongside other regional historical attractions.
On the Ground
| Address | Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, 452-0006, Japan |
|---|---|
| Car parking | 53 car parks within 1.5 km — nearest about 331 m away |
| Public toilets | None recorded within 1.5 km |
Car parks and toilets are counted from OpenStreetMap within 1.5 km of the castle coordinates, as recorded on 2026-08-15. They are not necessarily run by the castle, and OpenStreetMap does not record every facility — “none recorded” does not mean there are none.
Hours & Admission
| Admission | ¥400 (adult) |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 09:00 – 16:30 |
| Closed | Mondays (or the next weekday if Monday is a holiday); 29–31 December. Open daily during the cherry-blossom season |
| Notes | Adult admission to the keep. A combined ticket with the Aichi Asahi Site Museum is ¥550 |
Source: official site, checked 2026-08-22. Fees and hours change without notice — please confirm before travelling.
Castle Hopping from Here
| Castle | Distance |
|---|---|
| Nagoya Castle 名古屋城 | 3.4 km |
| Komakiyama Castle 小牧山城 | 11.5 km |
| Inuyama Castle 犬山城 | 21.6 km |
| Gifu Castle 岐阜城 | 27.8 km |
Distances are straight-line between castle coordinates, not travel distance. Only castles within 30 km are listed.
Is It Original?
| Original keep still standing? | No — this castle is not among the twelve in Japan whose keep survives from the pre-modern period. Any tower here is a later reconstruction or the site is a ruin. |
|---|---|
| Classification on this site | Reconstructed Castle |
| Nationally designated properties recorded here | — (none found in the database) — please check with the castle directly |
The count of twelve surviving keeps is stated independently by the official sites of Matsue, Maruoka, Matsuyama and Bitchu Matsuyama (checked 2026-09-04). Each of the twelve carries its own source on its own page. The classification line below it is this site's own grouping, not an official designation. The designated properties below it come from the Agency for Cultural Affairs national database of designated cultural properties (国指定文化財等データベース), retrieved 2026-08-13. A missing line means no entry was found in that database — not that the property is undesignated.
Getting There
| Nearest station | Shimo-Otai Station (下小田井駅) — 0.5 km in a straight line |
|---|---|
| Largest station nearby | Kami-Otai Station — 2.8 km in a straight line |
| Daily passengers at that station (2019) | 38,891 |
Station distances are straight-line, measured from the castle coordinates. Passenger counts: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT), FY2019.
Location
View larger map — © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sources and What a Blank Means
Data on this page comes from OpenStreetMap, Wikimedia Commons, the Agency for Cultural Affairs national database of designated cultural properties, the National Land Numerical Information service (MLIT) and the castle's official site. Checked 2026-08-22.
A blank or missing line means we found no record in those sources — not that the castle lacks the thing. Admission fees, opening hours and access change without notice; please confirm with the official site before travelling.