Okazaki Castle

This is the third of the Tokugawa Ieyasu related castles I visited in Aichi Prefecture one day last week.

History from the Jcastle website.

Saigo Tsugiyori built the original fortification on this site in 1455. Matsudaira Kiyoyasu captured the castle in 1524 and his famous grandson Matsudaira Motoyasu (Tokugawa Ieyasu) was born here on December 16, 1542. Ieyasu succeeded to lord of the castle in 1560 and left his eldest son Nobuyasu in charge when he moved to Hamamatsu Castle in 1570. The castle was left to the Tanaka clan when the Tokugawa moved to Edo (Tokyo) in 1590. The Tanaka worked to expand the castle and build out the castle town. When the Okazaki Domain was established the loyal retainer Honda Yasushige was made lord of the Okazaki Domain. The domain changed hands a few times during the Edo Period and was abolished in 1873.

(The information at the castle states Tokugawa Ieyasu was born December 26, 1542).

The walk from the train station is about 15 minutes, passing by the shrine below.

This was my first view of the castle on the hill.

Tatsuki Shrine is next to the castle.

The castle houses a museum. I think the entrance fee was about 300 yen.

From the fifth floor of the castle, you can view the surrounding town of Okazaki.

The castle grounds are large. I was lucky it was such a pretty day to walk around and see it all.

(If you are interested in Japanese Castles, check out the links on my Castle Page to see the castles I've visited.)