Abstract
The aim of this research is to elucidate the background and circumstances of the conversion of the Kofu Castle site to a park in modern times. In 1873 a decision was made to retain Kofu Castle for military use, and it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the War Ministry. Yamanashi Prefecture requested multiple times that the government sell off the site, and finally plans to hold an exposition provided an opportunity whereby the government leased the site and a park was built on it. In 1917 the site was sold by the government to the prefecture. Subsequent moves by Yamanashi Prefecture to build public facilities, fill in the moat, and turn the site into a park were intended more to make the land suitable for public works than to preserve the castle ruins. In contrast, the people of Kofu and the Kofu City Council advocated for preservation of the ruins. Yamanashi Prefecture was not regarded as a historic site the ruins of a castle.
