This site was originally Shingen's residential fortification, Tsutsujigasaki-yakata. After expelling his father Nobutora in 1541, Shingen directed all affairs of Kai from here — from his Shinano campaigns to his final Western March toward Kyoto — until his death on that campaign in 1573. Takeda Shrine was founded here in 1919 to enshrine him, and its treasury preserves letters in his own hand and armor he wore in battle.

Yamamoto Kansuke is the strategist and castle-builder said to have served Takeda Shingen, gaining his patronage after an audience at the Tsutsujigasaki residence (a tradition recorded in the Koyo Gunkan). He is said to have supported Shingen's campaigns and died at the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima in 1561. Long thought a fictional figure of war chronicles, he has been re-evaluated as a real Takeda retainer since documents attesting to him came to light.