Hijikata Toshizō
During the Boshin War of 1868, Utsunomiya Domain sided with the Imperial cause but came under attack by a pro-Tokugawa army led by Ōtori Keisuke and former Shinsengumi leader Hijikata Toshizō. The castle fell to the pro-Tokugawa forces after a fierce battle during which most of the structures were destroyed. Unable to hold the castle due to their limited numbers, the pro-Shogunal army soon abandoned the site and moved north.