[Okazaki Castle Travel Guide] Discover a Historic Castle Tied to Tokugawa Ieyasu and Stunning Cherry Blossom Views

The history of Okazaki Castle begins with its construction by Saigo Yoritsugu.
The original site was different from that of the present-day castle, and it is said to have once stood around what is now Myodaiji.
Later, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu, the grandfather of Tokugawa Ieyasu, moved it to its current location, and it came to be known as Okazaki Castle.
Also called Tatsugajo Castle, Okazaki Castle has long been associated with dragons, and one legend says that when Takechiyo, later Tokugawa Ieyasu, was born, a golden dragon that brought black clouds and wind appeared and ascended to heaven.

At Mikawa Bushi no Yakata Ieyasu-kan, permanent exhibitions in five sections introduce the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu from his birth to the unification of the country, along with seasonal special exhibitions.
Swords and armor are on display, and there are also hands-on corners where you can try on armor and experience the weight of helmets. Experience firsthand the appearance and lives of the warriors who lived in that era.

When Takechiyo, later Tokugawa Ieyasu, was born at Okazaki Castle, the water from Toshogu Ubuyu no Ido is said to have been used for his first bath.
Because Tokugawa Ieyasu later rose to greatness, it is also known as a good fortune spot and is said to bring blessings for luck and career success.
You can draw up and touch the well water, making it one of the highlights of Okazaki Park.

The Shikami Statue, modeled after Tokugawa Ieyasu, is distinctive for its grimacing expression and pose with its cheek resting on one hand.
This statue was created by a sculptor from Okazaki City and donated in 2007.
It is based on a famous story from the Battle of Mikatagahara, known as one of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s three greatest hardships, in which he had an artist paint his own 모습 after fleeing defeat and kept it as a lesson.
The Shikami Statue is a three-dimensional version of the image from that story, revealing Tokugawa Ieyasu’s character as someone who sought to learn from failure.
That said, there are many doubts about this story, and the view that it was not an actual event has grown stronger.

Named after the Buddhist name of its builder Saigo Yoritsugu, Seikai Nyudo, Seikai-bori is a dry moat without water that served to prevent enemies and animals from entering the castle.
During the Sengoku period (1467–1615), castles with stone-walled moats were rare.
The current stone walls are Approx. 9 meters high, though they are said to have been 12 meters high at the time.
Its inward-curving shape is another distinctive feature, and you can truly feel its grandeur as a wall blocking the way forward.

Located inside Okazaki Park next to Okazaki Castle, Tatsuki Shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu and Honda Tadakatsu as its deities and is said to bring blessings for career success and good fortune.
In 1876, Toshogu, which enshrined Tokugawa Ieyasu inside Okazaki Castle, and Eisei Shrine, which enshrined Honda Tadakatsu, were merged to form Tatsuki Shrine, and the shrine buildings were constructed.
Its appearance is attractive for being both solemn and powerful. It draws many worshippers, especially during the New Year holidays.

One of Japan’s largest castles, built in the early Edo period by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo shogunate.
At the top of the castle keep with its five-tiered roof shine a pair of golden shachihoko, male and female, making it a symbol of Nagoya.
Honmaru Palace, built in 1615 as the residence of the domain lord and a place of government, is also well worth seeing.
It was destroyed by fire along with the keep in 1945 during the war, but wooden reconstruction work began in 2009 and it was completed and opened to the public in 2018.

Its castle keep, designated as one of only five National Treasure castle keeps in Japan, is famous for being said to be the oldest surviving one and for having the characteristics of an early watchtower-style keep.
It is said to have been built in 1537 during the Muromachi period by Oda Nobuyasu, the uncle of Oda Nobunaga. Standing on a small hill with the Kiso River protecting its rear, it is known as a “ushiro-kengo no shiro,” or a castle strong from the rear.
Integrated with the castle town, it became an important center for trade, politics, and the economy.
Because it stood on the border between Owari and Mino Provinces, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu all sought to seize it during the Sengoku period, and its lord changed one after another.

An art museum that preserves and displays many treasures passed down through the Owari Tokugawa family.
It opened in 1935, founded by the 19th head of the family, Tokugawa Yoshichika, with the aim of passing daimyo culture on to future generations.
Its collection includes fine swords, armor, tea utensils, Noh theater items, and other masterpieces passed down from Tokugawa Ieyasu to the Owari Tokugawa family, as well as cherished belongings of successive heads of the family and their wives, for a total of more than 10,000 daimyo tools and artworks.

A long-established favorite founded in the mid-Meiji period and known as the birthplace of kamaage udon. Its noodles are highly praised, made with an original flour blend and carefully kneaded with the water and salt balance adjusted according to the day’s temperature and humidity.
The noodles for each day are made that same day, with every effort made to serve them freshly prepared.
The signature kamaage udon pairs perfectly chewy, piping-hot noodles with richly flavored broth.
There is also a wide variety of options, including tororo kamaage udon and tempura kamaage udon.

A sushi restaurant conveniently located a 5-minute walk from Meitetsu Higashi-Okazaki Station. The renovated interior has a modern, chic look unified in white, black, and red tones.
With counter seats and sunken kotatsu-style tatami seating, it is easy to use whether you are dining alone or visiting with women or children.
At lunchtime, it is a popular spot among locals who frequently come for the reasonably priced sushi set meal that includes seven pieces of nigiri and rolled sushi.
Its evening sushi set meal is also very satisfying, with eight pieces of nigiri, simmered fish, chawanmushi, red miso soup, and ice cream.

The main branch of Totomaru, an authentic gourmet conveyor-belt sushi chain that originated in the Mikawa region and operates multiple locations mainly in Aichi Prefecture.
With the concept of “freshly cooked, freshly cut, freshly made,” fresh fish is sourced daily from local fishing ports and delivered to the restaurant the same day.
In addition, buyers select carefully chosen ingredients from around Japan. By cutting them fresh in the restaurant, their freshness is preserved.
Another feature is its reasonably priced offerings, including sushi rice made with an original blended vinegar and a special dipping soy sauce designed to harmonize with the toppings.

A hotel with the longest history and tradition in Nagoya City, opened in 1936.
Known as the “State Guest House of Chubu,” it has welcomed many distinguished guests and VIPs from Japan and abroad.
Its attentive service, cultivated through its long history, is one of its greatest charms and makes every stay more rewarding.
Guest rooms range from functional business types to family and luxury types, meeting a wide range of accommodation needs.
High-quality amenities such as organic cotton linens are provided so guests can relax in comfort.

A lifestyle hotel with a calm atmosphere, located a 10-minute walk from Nagoya Station.
Inside, the space feels like a gallery decorated with traditional crafts from the Tokai area such as Arimatsu shibori and Mino ware, while original background music creates a pleasant Nagoya stay.
All guest rooms are spacious at 30 square meters and have an open feel. They are equipped with high-quality GENEVA Bluetooth® speakers, Balmuda kettles, and 49-inch large-screen 4K TVs, and the beds feature mattresses designed for restful sleep.
You can enjoy such a comfortable stay that you may never want to leave your room.

A business hotel that reopened at a new location in December 2021.
It offers eight room types to suit different travel styles.
In addition to standard, twin, and double rooms with semi-double beds, it also has triple and quad rooms, which are rare for business hotels in central Nagoya, making it ideal for families and groups.
Functional and refined services are another attraction, including in-room tablets that bring travel information together in one place and easy-to-use drip coffee machines.