Shogi Castles (囲い / Kakoi) – Beginner’s Guide
My favorite Shogi castle is the Anaguma (Bear-in-the-Hole)
because it is extremely solid and makes the King very safe.
In Shogi, protecting your King is one of the most important strategies.
These defensive formations are called “Castles” (囲い / Kakoi).
A good castle keeps your King safe and allows you to attack with confidence.
Below are the most common castles that beginners should learn first.
1. Mino Castle（美濃囲い）
The most popular and well-balanced castle in Shogi.
It is often used in Ranging Rook (振り飛車) openings.
- Easy to build
- Very stable
- Great for beginners and advanced players
2. Yagura Castle（矢倉）
A traditional and extremely solid castle used mainly in
Static Rook (居飛車) openings.
- Historically famous and used by professionals
- Very strong against early attacks
- Difficult to break once completed
3. Boat Castle（船囲い）
A simple castle that can be built quickly.
Often used as a starting point before developing into a stronger castle.
- Fast and easy to build
- Good for beginners
- Not very strong defensively
4. Silver Crown（銀冠）
A stronger version of the Mino Castle with higher defensive power.
- Very solid structure
- Strong in both offense and defense
- Popular among amateurs and professionals
5. Anaguma / Bear-in-the-Hole（穴熊）
One of the strongest castles in Shogi.
The King hides deep in the corner and becomes extremely hard to attack.
- One of the strongest defensive systems
- Very solid once completed
- Takes time to build
Conclusion
These castles are the best starting point for beginners.
Once you master them, you’ll understand:
- How to protect your King
- How to balance offense and defense
- How to choose a castle based on your strategy
Learning these basics will give you a strong foundation for all future Shogi games.
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