Shimpujo-Ato (新府城跡)

As I wrote on the last post, Shimpu is a historical place in Nirasaki. Shimpujo-Ato (新府城跡-the trace of the Shimpu castle) is the most important evidence of the history, which was registered as a national cultural property.

When Takeda Katsuyori (武田勝頼）lost at the War of Nagashino (長篠の戦い), he moved the central place of force in order to prepare against the next invasion. The Shimpu castle was constructed by Katsuyori at that time, but he set fire to the castle before it's completed. After that he escaped to Tano （田野-甲州市 Kosyu city at present）and committed suicide, that was the fall of the Takeda family.


The Shimpu castle is the last one of the Takeda family. The particular construction represents their strength. The castle was built with forts and fosses but stone walls. The castle keep still remains and tells us the history of the family.

Shimpu Tohgenkyo （新府桃源郷）

Do you know the place of Shimpu （新府）? Shimpu means 'new central place of force', which is compared to Kofu (the old central place of force -甲府,古府） where Takeda Shingen (武田信玄) controlled. So, Shimpu was the place where Takeda Katsuyori (武田勝頼) lived as a central place controlled.

Shimpu is famous as a peach farm. Peach trees set fresh peach in summer, of course, trees bloom brilliant pink peach blossoms which looks a big pink carpet in spring! Pink (the colour of peach blossoms) makes a beautiful contrast with yellow (the colour of rape blossoms), blue (the colour of sky), and white (the colour of snow on mountains)! Unfortunately, I couldn't take a nice picture to appeal it...anyway, a lot of people come to enjoy late 'Ohanami (お花見-a picnic under the blossoms) in the best season.

If you miss the season to enjoy watching peach flowers in other places, you should come to Shimpu because the peach trees bloom the latest in Yamanashi.