岡崎城

Okazaki Castle is the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who went on to unify Japan. Located inside Okazaki Park, it is about a 15-minute walk from Higashi-Okazaki Station on the Meitetsu Line. Following the 1873 castle abolition order, the site changed from military property to the Ministry of Finance and was dismantled, leaving only the Honmaru area and surrounding stone walls and parts of the fortifications. However, the castle keep was reconstructed in 1959, and it now welcomes many locals and tourists. In 2006, it was also selected as one of the "100 Fine Castles of Japan." After completing ticketing on the first floor, visitors proceed to the second floor, where exhibits introduce the governance of the Okazaki Domain. Floors two through four are organized by theme and clearly present Okazaki’s domain administration, successive lords, industries, and everyday life through dioramas and materials. The fifth floor is an observation deck with sweeping views over central Okazaki City. This 360-degree viewpoint is popular not only with tourists but also with local residents. The castle and its surroundings are also a seasonal nature spot, with impressive cherry blossom rows in spring, a wisteria festival in early summer, ginkgo-lined paths, and autumn leaves, making it one of the must-visit places when traveling in Okazaki.