Kochi Castle

During Sengoku period, Tosa Province was dominated by Chosokabe Motochika who built a new castle at Otakayama hill, however, he soon moved to a new location at Urado Castle. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Yamauchi Kazutoyo was ordered by the Tokugawa shogunate to take control of the province as daimyo of the newly-created Tosa Domain, he rebuilt Otakayama Castle and renamed it "Kawanakayama Castle", later changed the name to Kochi Castle. Much of the original fortress burned down in 1727 and was reconstructed in the original style. Kochi castle is noteworthy because it is the only original structure, not a post-war replica, and it also retains both its original tenshu and palace, the residence of the local daimyo. It is the only castle in Japan to have all the original buildings in the honmaru still standing.