Introducing Okazaki Castle, the Birthplace of the Gods

The video this time is titled "[Touken World] 'Okazaki Castle'｜Swords and Armor｜Sword and Armor Displays in the Castle｜YouTube Video" (【刀剣ワールド】「岡崎城」刀剣・甲冑に会える城｜刀剣・甲冑展示の城郭 YouTube動画), released by "Virtual Sword Museum 'Touken World'." It introduces Okazaki Castle at Okazaki Park in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, in Japan's Tokai region.

Okazaki Castle is known as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and is famous for being the base of operations for Tokugawa Ieyasu, who returned to Mikawa (present-day Aichi Prefecture) after the Battle of Okehazama and used it as his base for unifying the country.
This Okazaki Castle was deified as "the birthplace of the gods," and the Daimyo who became the lords of Okazaki Castle were proud to serve as its ruler.

As you can see from 1:33 in the video, there are various exhibits of swords and armor related to Okazaki Castle.
One of the most famous swords from the Muromachi period (1336-1573), "Kanemoto," with its impressive temper, resembling majestic mountains, can be seen at 1:51 in the video.

At the The Ieyasu And Mikawa Bushi Museum in Okazaki Park, which can be seen at 2:09 in the video, visitors can learn about the history of the Matsudaira family, the ancestors of the Tokugawa family, from their beginnings to the unification of the Tokugawa family.
A Kindami Gusoku (type of body armor), made of gold leaf, is also on display.

A Look at Okazaki Castle

Photo：Okazaki Castle

Okazaki Castle is a Japanese castle located in the Mikawa Kuni Okazaki Domain (present-day Kosei Town, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture).
Also known as "Ryujo," it was owned by the Matsudaira family during the Warring States period (1467-1615 AD) until the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1598 AD).

Okazaki Castle is said to have been built by Saigo Tsuguyori, a descendant of the Niki clan in Mikawa Province, and his son Yoritsugu Saigo
At that time, it was called "Ryuzu Castle."
Tokugawa Ieyasu was born inside the castle in 1542.
Therefore, it is called the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In the Edo period (1603 to 1868), it was written as "岡竒城" as oppsed to the current kanji "岡崎城" (same pronunciation).

After the Meiji Restoration (1853-1867 AD), most of the castle wall at Okazaki Castle was demolished, but in 1959 the castle tower was restored to a three-layer, five-story building, and in 2006 it was listed as one of "Japan's Top 100 Castles."
You can get to Okazaki Castle by foot from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station or Okazaki Koen Station, or by local bus from Okazaki Koenmae Bus Stop.

Vista Line Connecting Okazaki Castle and Taiju Temple

Photo：Tokugawa Ieyasu・Daiju-ji

Daiju-ji, a temple located around Okazaki Castle, is where Tokugawa Ieyasu, who, broken from his defeat in the Battle of Okehazama, attempted to commit ritual suicide, but was dissuaded by the chief priest.
This 3-kilometer-long line that connects Okazaki Castle and Daiju-ji is known as the Vista Line, and it has been preserved for 370 years as a historical spot and a historical view.
In modern times, the Vista Line has been drawn using laser light, and an event called the "Vista Line of Light" has also been held.

Facilities Around Okazaki Castle

Photo：Cherry blossoms at Okazaki Castle

Okazaki Park, where Okazaki Castle is located, is famous for its cherry blossoms, and has been selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom sites in Japan.
A famous place in Okazaki Park is the Yachiyo Honten, where you can eat dengaku cuisine using Hatcho miso.
Yachiyo Honten is a long-established Japanese restaurant that has been in business for more than 120 years.
The Kinome Dengaku, grilled with the traditional technique of Yachiyo Honten, is an exquisite local specialty that can only be found at this restaurant.
Also, in the castle town, there is an area called Hatcho Village, and there are traditional shops such as Hatcho Miso and Kakukyu Hatcho Miso, so please enjoy gourmet food and lunch.
There are also temples and shrines, such as Rokusho Shrine, Takisan Toshogu Shrine, and Ise Hachimangu Shrine in the surrounding area, so we recommend visiting these to anyone collecting red seal stamps, after visiting Okazaki Castle.

Summary of Okazaki Castle

Photo：Okazaki Castle

In the video you can learn more about Okazaki Castle, the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Okazaki Castle is a historical spot that we highly recommend visiting, as it is associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous warlord from the Warring States period.
If you're interested, be sure to stop by Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture.

◆Okazaki Castle Facility Overview◆
【Address】561-1 Koseicho, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, 444-0052
【Access】15 minutes walk from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station
【Hours】 9:00-17:00
【Closures】End of the year (December 29-December 31)
【Admission fee】200 yen for adults
【Parking】Paid parking available
【Telephone No】0564-22-2122

【Official Website】Okazaki Castle Home Page | Okazaki Castle (Main Tower) | Special Features | Okazaki Park | Okazaki Outing Navigation-Okazaki City Tourist Association Official Site
https://okazaki-kanko.jp/en

【Tripadvisor】Okazaki Castle
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g788304-d1309910-Reviews-Okazaki_Castle-Okazaki_Aichi_Prefecture_Tokai_Chubu.html