Okazaki Castle

Okazaki Castle reopened on January 21, 2023, with new exhibits. The concept of the exhibits is to "reconstruct the story connecting the past castle and castle town with present-day Okazaki" and "create exhibits that make it easy to feel the charm of Okazaki Castle and the historical and cultural aspects of Okazaki." Exhibits include a castle model and castle maps introducing the history and structure of Okazaki Castle, swords related to Mikawa, and excavated artifacts. The castle is located in Okazaki Park, a historical park centered around Okazaki Castle, where Tokugawa Ieyasu was born. The park is also home to events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Ieyasu Parade, and is loved by many people. Through the exhibits at Okazaki Castle, you can touch history and feel the charm of Okazaki.

Okazaki Park is a historical park that was created from the ruins of Okazaki Castle. The park covers an area of approximately 10 hectares, and the white plastered castle tower stands tall, along with the restored castle walls. There is also the Yakata Ieyasu-kan, a museum dedicated to the samurai of Mikawa, making Okazaki Park a representative historical and cultural park of Okazaki City. Okazaki Castle was selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Castles" in 2006, and Okazaki Park was also chosen as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots," attracting many visitors during the spring cherry blossom festival. The park has facilities where you can learn about the history and culture of Okazaki Castle, as well as walking paths where you can enjoy the surrounding nature, making it a recommended spot for families and group trips. Access to the park is a 15-minute walk from Meitetsu Higashi-Okazaki Station, and it's also accessible by Meitetsu or Aikan buses. Okazaki Park, where you can experience history alongside Okazaki Castle, is a must-see tourist spot when visiting Okazaki City!

The Mikawa Bushi Yashiki Ieyasu Kan at Okazaki Park is a museum that introduces the life of Lord Ieyasu and the Mikawa samurai. The permanent exhibition is divided into five sections that explain Lord Ieyasu's life from his birth to the unification of Japan, and the special exhibition room and first-floor exhibition room hold seasonal exhibitions. This museum, located on the site of Okazaki Castle, was established by the Okazaki Castle and Ieyasu Kan Construction and Development Committee in 1979 and opened in 1980. The permanent exhibition displays Lord Ieyasu's journey from his birthplace in 1585 to his life in Ujigayatsu, the Battle of Okehazama, his journey to Kyoto, the Battles of Komaki and Nagakute, and the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. Since it's located within Okazaki Park, you can also enjoy sightseeing with Okazaki Castle and the spring cherry blossoms as a set!

Ryujo Shrine, located in Okazaki Park, is a shrine that honors Tokugawa Ieyasu and Honda Tadakatsu. It's popular among tourists visiting Okazaki Castle and is bustling with visitors during the end of the year for the Ieyasu Festival and New Year's visits. Located in the center of Okazaki Park, the spacious grounds feature a splendid torii gate, haiden (worship hall), and honden (main hall), creating a solemn atmosphere. Ryujo Shrine was created by merging Toshogu Shrine and Eisei Shrine, with the hope of promoting the prosperity and happiness of the people of Okazaki City. Inside the grounds, there is a giant camphor tree over 600 years old and the "Ryujin no Matsu," a designated natural monument of Okazaki City, allowing visitors to feel both nature and history. Access is a 15-minute walk from Meitetsu Higashi-Okazaki Station or a 5-minute walk from the bus stop for Ojiji Temple and other destinations at Kosei-cho, or a 10-minute walk from Aikan Nakaoakazaki Station. Although it's located in Okazaki Park, it's also close to the entrance of Okazaki Castle, allowing visitors to enjoy both attractions. Ryujo Shrine is one of Okazaki City's representative tourist spots, where visitors can feel both nature and history in the spacious grounds. It's especially recommended for history buffs and those who enjoy visiting shrines and temples.

Located about a 5-minute drive from Okazaki Castle is a long-standing miso manufacturer called "Kakukyu Haccho Miso." With a history dating back to the Edo period, the company's headquarters and historical museum are registered tangible cultural properties of Japan. At the museum, you can see how miso was traditionally made and even try samples of Haccho miso and akadashi miso. Additionally, there is a restaurant called "Okazaki Kakukyu Haccho Village" where you can enjoy miso dishes made with Haccho miso while looking out the window at the aging barrels. The village also has a shop selling Haccho miso with a wide variety of products, making it a popular spot for tourists. In particular, the miso soft serve ice cream with a salted caramel flavor is highly recommended. As such, the Kakukyu Haccho Miso in Okazaki's Yasue-cho is not only an attractive long-standing miso manufacturer, but also a facility where you can enjoy various activities such as miso dishes and miso soft serve ice cream. Why not visit along with Okazaki Castle?