History of the Okazaki Castle

　Tradition has it that the first Okazaki Castle was constructed at the present site in Sugo, Okazaki around 1455 by the Saigo family. In the first half of the 16th century, the Saigo family yielded possession of Okazaki Castle to Matsudaira Kiyoyasu, the 7th lord of the Matsudaira family (and the grandfather of Iyeyasu) that had risen into power in northern Mikawa.
　However, based on recent research, the prevailing belief is that the first Okazaki Castle was built at Myodaiji, Okazaki in the first half of the 15th century and that Matsudaira Kiyoyasu moved it to the present site in 1531. Incidentally, the original castle was most probably a fort the size of the current main citadel on a small plot of land.
　 In 1590 however, Tanaka Yoshimasa - then lord of the castle - enlarged the precincts surrounded with moats and Lord Honda Yasunori built a complex castle tower well worthy of the name. 　For 3 centuries Okazaki Castle has been honoured as the birthplace of the deified Iyeyasu and cradle of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It was guarded successively by the hereditary vassal daimyos who wielded enormous power. At the same time, Okazaki was valued as a strategic point along the Tokaido Road. 　During the Meiji Restoration, the feudal clans were abolished and between 1873-1874, Okazaki Castle was demolished, leaving only its moat and stone wall. But in 1959 the three-tiered, five-floor donjon, together with the annex and wellhouse, were masterfully reconstructed according to the original model.

　 　

４F Castle and Lords

　The model of the old castle from the Edo Period is shown together with articles of historic interest, particularly the Lord's everyday furniture.

３F Castle-town culture and industries

　The daily life of the Okazaki townspeople - especially tradesmen in the Edo Period - is shown here, together with their arts and industries. Our videorama presents vivid 3-D pictures of daily life in the Edo Period.

２F Castle and Lords

　Our audio-visual aids contain information on the interaction between the feudal lords and the peasants they controlled. Other displays include weapons, armour, and products for daily use from the feudal age.

　The 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of the castle tower have been converted into a museum. Our displays contain authentic historical materials to give our visitors an idea of what Okazaki and its feudal lords were like in the Edo Period. The observatory on the 5th floor boasts a panoramic view of the Mikawa Plains.

Touch the numbered areas on the map to start the audio guidance.

You can stop the audio by pressing ‘Cancel’. Why not explore Okazaki Park with the Audio Map? It’s very simple! Use the Voice Pen to point at various places on the map. You’ll hear explanations about each spot and discover all sorts of things that you never knew about Okazaki and Tokugawa Iyeyasu. You can also use the Voice Pen inside Okazaki Castle and the Iyeyasu Museum to hear detailed explanations of the items on display. There are two routes to explore ? a 90 minute course and a 2 hour course ? so be sure to give the audio tour a try!

ＩＮＦＯＲＭＡＴＩＯＮ

Okazaki Castle and the Iyeyasu and Mikawa Bushi Museum in Okazaki Park are open daily to the public from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entrance at 16:30). It is closed 29th December to 1st January.

Okazaki Koen Parking

8:30〜21:30
Car: \100 per 30min
Bus: \1,100 per 3hrs

Address

Okazaki Park, Kosei-cho, Okazaki, Aichi. 444-0052

Ａｄｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ　Ｆｅｅｓ

Adults：junior high school students and older

Children：five years and older

Access

• | -PAGE　TOP- |

©Okazaki Castle.Okazaki.Japan.