KAKEGAWA POST STATION
Highlights of the Area: KAKEGAWA CASTLE, NINOMARU TEA HOUSE & PALACE GROUNDS
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
The town that grew around the Kakegawa Post Station was one of the most important on the Ancient Tokaido Highway.
In the early 17th century, the Old Tokaido Highway was firmly established as the main thoroughfare for travelers between the new capital of Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto.
Kakegawa Castle had been built in the 15th century and had helped establish the town as an important stop on the “Shio no Michi” (Salt Road) used to transport salt from the ocean up into the Nagano region.
Today a replica of Kakegawa Castle built in 1994 stands in place of the original.
It is notable as one of the only replica Japanese castles to have been reconstructed in wood using traditional building techniques.
During the peak of travel on the Ancient Tokaido Highway, Kakegawa was a bustling town and an important stop for merchants trading in salt and green tea. The town grew around this bustling trade.
Although not much remains of the original Kakegawa post town in Kakegawa exists today, if you spend a day in this charming castle town, there are a few ways that you can catch a glimpse of what life may have been like 400 years ago.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
MORNING – CASTLE, TEA CEREMONY AND MUSEUMS
Upon arriving at Kakegawa Train Station in the morning be sure to pick up a Kakegawa Experience Day Passport at the South Exit Visitor Center and then take a walk up to the castle (about 10 mins from the station).
Start your morning with a traditional green tea ceremony experience at the Ninomaru Tea House.
Then spend the rest of the morning exploring the Castle and Ninomaru Palace where you will be able to see displays of Samurai armor, weaponry and other exhibitions that provide a glimpse into what life was like traveling on the Tokaido Road.
Be sure to visit the Kakegawa Ninomaru Museum, Take-No-Maru residence and Stained Glass museum while you are there to complete the experience.
AFTERNOON – SAMURAI ARMOR, GREEN TEA AND BIRD PARK
After Lunch at one of the restaurants close to the castle, pop into the Samurai outfitters shop Yoroiya across from the castle and get your photo taken wearing one of the replica samurai armers. *reservation required
A trip to Kakegawa is not complete without trying some of the local Japanese sweets or buying some Kakegawa Green Tea from one of the local stores.
For a family fun, Kakegawa Flower and Bird Park (Kachoen) is a large flower and bird park just South of Kakegawa Station. It houses a large number of different birds including flamingoes, emu, penguins, colorful toucan and other exotic birds.
If you are still in the city in the evening make sure to visit the Honjin Dori food alley in the evening to experience local street food and meet some of the friendly locals.
For a detailed map of Kakegawa and Tokaido Related attractions in English check www.shizuoka.biz
