What Is Kijō Park? A Historic Walk Around the Ruins of Tsuchiura Castle
Kijō Park (Kijō Kōen) is a history-themed park in Chūō 1-chōme, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture, developed on the ruins of Tsuchiura Castle.
Part of the former honmaru (main bailey) and the southern side of the ninomaru (second bailey) have been preserved as a park, where you can trace the surviving Yagura-mon gate and Kasumi-mon gate, the reconstructed East Yagura (East Turret) and West Yagura (West Turret), and the remnants of moats and earthen ramparts.
Tsuchiura Castle was nicknamed Kijō, meaning Turtle Castle, because its moat-encircled shape resembled a turtle floating on water.
This name lives on in the park, making it easy for first-time visitors to sense Tsuchiura’s history.
In 2017, the site was listed as No. 113 among the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles, drawing further attention to the ruins.
Rather than a heavily commercialized tourist site, this is a place to enjoy the castle ruins at your own pace as they quietly remain within the town.
Admission is free, making it an easy stop while strolling around Tsuchiura.
Moats and Gates That Still Evoke the Old Turtle Castle
The appeal of Kijō Park lies in how the castle’s atmosphere remains within an everyday park setting.
The waterside moats, the feeling of the stone walls and earthen ramparts, and the experience of passing under the gates all overlap to bring the outline of the old castle into the modern townscape.
The Yagura-mon (also called Taikō Yagura-mon, or Drum Turret Gate) is an especially valuable surviving structure from the Edo period, and is known as the only original castle Yagura-mon gate still standing in the Kantō region.
For photos, try framing the moat and surrounding trees alongside the gate rather than shooting the gate alone—this brings out the calm dignity of the castle ruins.
On cloudy days or after rain, reflections on the water and the softer color of the trees create a quieter expression typical of a Japanese castle site.
The image of the gate and stone walls mirrored in the still moat is one of Tsuchiura Castle’s signature photo spots.
Top Things to See at Tsuchiura Castle Ruins on Your First Visit
Yagura-mon, Kasumi-mon, and East Yagura
Inside the park, focus on the gates and turrets that carry the legacy of Tsuchiura Castle.
The Yagura-mon (Taikō Yagura-mon) is designated as an Ibaraki Prefectural Cultural Property, while the Kasumi-mon is a Tsuchiura City Cultural Property.
Both are valuable structures that have survived from the Edo period and are central to Kijō Park’s identity as a castle site.
On the east side of the honmaru stands the reconstructed wooden East Yagura, which serves as an annex of the Tsuchiura City Museum and can be visited inside (entry is included with the museum admission).
The West Yagura on the west side of the honmaru has also been reconstructed, and the view of it across the moat is one of the park’s most photogenic corners.
By observing the shapes of the gates and turrets, their roofs, and their relationship to the moats, you can see how a castle once designed for defense now serves as a quiet space for strolling.
Near the buildings, please follow the on-site signage and keep a respectful distance to avoid damaging the cultural properties.
Shii Trees and the Lawn Plaza for a Quiet Break
Kijō Park is also home to old shii (Japanese chinquapin) trees designated as a Natural Monument of Ibaraki Prefecture, along with a spacious lawn plaza.
The large shii tree, said to be around 500 years old, has long been loved by locals as a silent witness to Tsuchiura Castle’s history.
Rather than rushing through the historical sights, pausing under the trees or in the plaza lets you also appreciate the park’s role as a beloved neighborhood space.
Since the park is also used by families with small children and people taking walks, be careful not to block the path when taking photos or resting.
Benches and restrooms are available inside the park, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed visit.
Deepen the Experience at the Tsuchiura City Museum
Just east of Kijō Park stands the Tsuchiura City Museum (Tsuchiura Shiritsu Hakubutsukan).
It is located at 1-15-18 Chūō, Tsuchiura City, about a 1-minute walk from the park.
The museum’s exhibits cover the Tsuchiura Domain and life around Lake Kasumigaura, providing local context that the castle ruins alone don’t fully convey.
Opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the museum is closed on Mondays (open if Monday is a national holiday), the day after a national holiday, year-end and New Year holidays, and during temporary closures for exhibit changes.
Admission is 200 yen for adults and free for high school students and younger, with one ticket covering both the museum and the East Yagura.
Walking around the park first and then visiting the museum helps the moats and gates you saw outside connect more clearly with the exhibits inside.
Alternatively, learning about Tsuchiura’s history at the museum before entering the park can change how you perceive the gates and earthen ramparts.
If you plan to visit the museum, check the opening days and admission details in advance.
Seasonal Walks at Kijō Park
Kijō Park has a different feel in each season.
In spring, it is known as one of the cherry blossom (sakura) spots highlighted by the Tsuchiura City Tourism Association, with Somei Yoshino cherry trees usually reaching full bloom from late March to early April.
During the cherry blossom season, the colors of the flowers add a softer touch to the calm scenery of the moats and gates, gently enhancing the castle’s atmosphere.
Fresh greenery brightens the park in early summer, while the waterside scenery feels refreshing in the heat.
In autumn (mid- to late November), the trees in the park take on autumn leaves (kōyō), offering a beautiful combination of fall foliage and castle architecture.
In winter, when the leaves have fallen, the shapes of the gates and earthen ramparts become easier to see, creating a quiet atmosphere well suited to a history walk.
However, peak bloom timing and event schedules vary by year, so check the latest information if you’re planning your visit around a specific season.
How to Get to Kijō Park and How Long to Spend
Kijō Park is located at 13 Chūō 1-chōme, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
It is about a 15-minute walk from the West Exit of Tsuchiura Station on the JR Jōban Line, with Tsuchiura roughly 70 minutes from Ueno Station by local train or about 50 minutes by limited express.
The route from the station passes through shopping streets and the old castle-town atmosphere, making it a pleasant walking distance.
By car, the park is about 10 minutes from either the Sakura-Tsuchiura Interchange or the Tsuchiura-Kita Interchange on the Jōban Expressway.
You can see the park itself in 30 minutes to 1 hour, or budget about 2 hours if you also visit the East Yagura and the Tsuchiura City Museum.
Etiquette Tips for International Visitors
Kijō Park is both a tourist spot and a park used daily by local residents.
Around the cultural properties, trees, and moat areas, please do not cross any “no entry” signs or fences.
Avoid touching or climbing on the gates and trees for photos.
In busy areas, take care that tripods and selfie sticks do not obstruct other visitors.
Please take your trash with you, and be considerate of the next users when sitting on the lawn or benches.
Eat and drink in designated areas, and don’t leave any trash by the moat or on the grass.
Preserving the quiet atmosphere of the castle ruins is also an important part of respecting the local culture.
Summary: Kijō Park, a Quiet Place to Walk Through Tsuchiura’s History
Kijō Park is a place where you can experience Tsuchiura’s history up close through the moats, gates, and greenery of the former Tsuchiura Castle.
It’s not a sightseeing destination where you rush through a checklist of large structures, but a site listed among the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles—one to enjoy slowly while searching for traces of the past.
Combined with the Tsuchiura City Museum and the surrounding historic area, the appeal of Tsuchiura as a former castle town becomes even more vivid.
If you’re visiting for the first time, try moving your gaze from the Yagura-mon to the moats, the shii tree, and the lawn plaza, and take in the lingering image of Turtle Castle still woven into the town.
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