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Born in 1556 to a local lord in Omi. Said to have served seven masters—including Azai Nagamasa and Isono Kazumasa—before finding lasting service under Toyotomi Hidenaga and later Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. At Sekigahara he joined the Eastern army. His greatest legacy is as a master castle architect, having designed or oversaw construction of Imabari, Uwajima, Sasayama, Tsu, Iga Ueno, the outer works of Edo Castle, and many others. He pioneered the high stone wall style that defined early modern Japanese castle architecture. As lord of Iga Ueno at 320,000 koku he also excelled in flood control, land reclamation, and industry. He served three Tokugawa shoguns and died in 1630 at age 75.

A pragmatist who valued results and possessed outstanding political judgment in reading the times. His willingness to change masters and his eager pursuit of new techniques and knowledge were defining traits.

Castles designed by Todo Takatora—including Imabari and Uwajima—remain across Japan. His high stone wall techniques were applied in later renovations of Edo and Osaka Castles. He established the 320,000-koku Tsu domain, and the Todo family ruled Ise-Iga until the Meiji era.