In 1572, Takeda Shingen marched into Totomi Province with the aim of advancing into Kyoto.
Knowing this, Tokugawa Ieyasu departed from Hamamatsu Castle in pursuit of Takeda, and the two forces met in battle at Mikatagahara.
However, Takeda had the advantage in both numbers and tactics, and Tokugawa's army quickly collapsed. Tokugawa retreated back to Hamamatsu Castle, barely escaping with his life.
The night he returned, Tokugawa launched a surprise attack against Takeda's army, which was camped near Saigagake. Despite the successful counterattack, overall Tokugawa suffered a crushing defeat, with almost 1,000 dead.
It is said that Tokugawa learned from this defeat, actively studying Takeda's tactics and using them to lead his army to victory in numerous subsequent battles.
*Various theories exist regarding the purpose of Takeda Shingen's invasion of Totomi.
Our stage is the "Battle of Mikatagahara", a turning point in the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In the Hamamatsu area, the young Tokugawa learned much from Takeda Shingen, who many called the greatest general during the Sengoku period, taking his first steps on the road to one day ruling all of Japan.
You can travel around Hamamatsu City experiencing historical scenes such as Takeda's approaching army and Tokugawa deciding to attack from the perspective of both armies.
Hurry now, the day of departure is near!
It is necessary to download the "Street Museum" local experience excursion app.
What is XR?
XR is short for eXtended Reality, and is a catchall term for various similar technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). To use it, you will need to download the "Street Museum" smartphone app. Using this app, by holding your smartphone over a specified location, you can display the historical site on the screen in VR, etc.
"Street Museum" is a registered trademark of TOPPAN INC.
QR code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Incorporated.
Click here for the official website. ▶ www.streetmuseum.jp
In 1570, Tokugawa renovated Hikuma Castle and renamed it Hamamatsu Castle.
Still standing to this day, the castle tower was rebuilt in 1959, and the castle tower gate was restored in 2014.
The castle is famous for its nozura-zumi style stone walls, which are made by stacking unshaped natural stones, and the observatory offers a beautiful unbroken view of Hamamatsu City.
Inside the castle, historical materials, weapons, and more related to Tokugawa are on display.
◎Access: 100-2 Motoshiro-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu-shi
Though Tokugawa, the future ruler of all of Japan, was born in Okazaki Castle in Mikawa, he chose Hamamatsu Castle to be his stronghold.
The castle was greatly expanded from the former Hikuma Castle, and was designed with a number of baileys connected by stairs, utilizing the natural slope of the Mikatagahara plateau.
It was a fortress that made the most of the natural topography.
Here you can see a full view of Hamamatsu Castle at the time, as well as a recreation of the war council in the court, the castle tower gate, and more, all in VR!
Saigagake is a cliff valley located around 1 km north of Hamamatsu Castle.
Tokugawa, who suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Mikatagahara, retaliated by executing a night raid on Takeda's forces, who were camped near Saigagake.
According to legend, large numbers of Takeda's army fell off the cliff, and many were killed.
At the museum, in addition to the materials regarding the "Enshu Dainenbutsu", which is said to have started as a way to mourn the spirits of those in Takeda's army who had fallen, a diorama of the Battle of Mikatagahara is also on display.
◎Access: 25-10 Shikatani-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu-shi
The Battle of Mikatagahara ended in a landslide victory for Takeda's army, and was the biggest defeat of Tokugawa's life.
However, that was not the end for the man who would one day come to rule all of Japan.
A small group of around 100 matchlock gunners, which included Okubo Tadayo, launched a desperate attack on Takeda's army while they were encamped near Saigagake.
Watch a video recreating this attack!
Futamata Castle was geographically located in an important strategic position as the cornerstone of the Enshu plains, and was involved in a number of fierce battles fought between the Tokugawa and Takeda clans between 1572 and 1575.
It is also known as the place where Tokugawa's son and heir, Matsudaira Nobuyasu, committed suicide in 1579.
◎Access: Futamata, Futamata-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu-shi
Among the network of castles that supported Hamamatsu Castle, Futamata Castle was especially important, being a point of focus for both Takeda and Tokugawa.
The Tokugawa clan defended the castle with 1,200 soldiers led by the lord of the castle, Nakane Masateru, and even with an army more than 30,000 men strong, Takeda had a difficult time capturing it.
Watch Tokugawa and Takeda's armies clash in battle for Futamata Castle in VR!
Tobayama Castle was built to act as a stronghold for Tokugawa during the battle between the Tokugawa clan and Takeda clan over Futamata Castle.
Between 1590 and 1600, the Horio clan, who controlled Futamata at the time, renovated the castle and added stone walls.
The castle has a strong guest house-like character, with a dry landscape garden and an exceptionally large main road.
◎Access: Futamata, Futamata-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu-shi
Aiming to retake Futamata Castle, which had been captured by Takeda's army, Tokugawa built Tobayama Castle on a small hill just 500 m south of Futamata Castle and used it as a base for his assault.
Watch Tokugawa and Takeda's armies clash in battle from Tobayama Castle in VR!
(1)
"Street Museum" is a registered trademark of TOPPAN INC.
QR code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Incorporated.
Click here for the official website. ▶ www.streetmuseum.jp
Download the Street Museum® app.
(2)
Press the START button for the Hamamatsu Castle VR/AR Tour to download the content.
(3)
You can press the VR or AR button when you approach a designated spot.
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Enjoy the on-site VR/AR experience.