Nagahama Castle: Hideyoshi’s First Castle

At the northern edge of the Kansai region lies Nagahama, a city once considered strategically important for its access to Kyoto, the old capital. Standing here is Nagahama Castle, the very first castle given to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who would later rise to unify Japan.

Nagahama Castle

Nagahama is just under an hour by train from Kyoto, past Maibara, and sits near the northern tip of Lake Biwa. Unlike bustling Ōtsu, this area of northern Ōmi feels far more rural. The castle itself is a short walk from Nagahama Station, offering sweeping views of the lake from its grounds.

Though the main gate once stood near today’s Kurokabe Square, it has long disappeared. Still, the setting—right on the lakeshore—shows why this site was chosen. Like Zeze Castle in Ōtsu, its stone walls once touched the water, allowing direct access by boat.

Hideyoshi’s First Stronghold 

In 1574, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Nagahama Castle after defeating the Asai clan at the Battle of Anegawa. Oda Nobunaga rewarded him with the Asai lands, marking Hideyoshi’s first step as a provincial lord. He tore down the Asai’s Odani Castle and constructed his own stronghold here.

At that time, the area was known as Imahama. Since Hideyoshi was still in Nobunaga’s service, he adopted the character “naga” (長) from his lord’s name, renaming the castle town Nagahama.

From Past to Present

The castle grounds today form Toyo Park, a popular spot in spring when cherry blossoms bloom along the lakeshore. In winter, snow sometimes blankets the park, creating a serene scene. You can still see the Taiko Well here, a landmark tied to Hideyoshi and a favorite stop for history lovers.

Nagahama Castle sits very close to the edge of Lake Biwa. Like Zeze Castle in Ōtsu, its stone walls touched the water, allowing boats to dock at its edge. This easy access to water transport may have been one reason Hideyoshi chose to abandon the inland stronghold of Odani and build anew here. If enemies closed in, retreat by boat would have been simple.

At the heart of the park now stands a reconstructed castle tower. The original structure was dismantled during the Edo period, with many materials repurposed for nearby Hikone Castle. The tower you see today was rebuilt in 1983, modeled on Inuyama Castle, since no paintings of the original castle survived. It even occupies a slightly different spot from the historical keep.

Aside from the reconstructed tower, only a handful of stone walls and the Taiko Well remain, quiet reminders of the castle that once guarded Lake Biwa’s northern shore.

The inside of the castle is a museum, showcasing the history of Nagahama. From the top floor, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Biwa and even distant Mount Ibuki!