Renowned as the stronghold of Oda Nobunaga, originally built in 1405 as the Owari provincial headquarters. Nobunaga used it for about twelve years, launching the Battle of Okehazama (1560) from here. After the Honnoji Incident (1582), Toyotomi Hideyoshi convened the historic Kiyosu Conference here to determine Nobunaga's succession. The reconstructed tower (1989) stands along the Gojo River.

Kiyosu Castle was founded in 1405 by Shiba Yoshishige as the headquarters of the Owari provincial governor. Throughout the Muromachi period it remained under Shiba clan control, though the deputy governors, the Oda clan, gradually rose to seize real power. By the Tenbun era (1532–1555), Oda Nobunaga…