* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Okazaki Castle
岡崎城
Okazaki Castle is a historic castle in Chūbu dating from the Built around 1452 (Kyōtoku 1), whose lord was Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Overview
Okazaki Castle, birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu on December 26, 1542, is one of Japan's most historically significant castles — the origin point of the Tokugawa dynasty that ruled Japan for 260 years. The castle was the spiritual home of the legendary 'Mikawa samurai' whose absolute loyalty formed the backbone of Ieyasu's rise to power. Nearby Daijuji Temple, linked to Ieyasu by a protected sightline still maintained today, is the family temple of the Tokugawa shoguns. The castle area has been extensively developed for the 2023 NHK Taiga drama 'Dosu Kano Ieyasu' and features multiple museums dedicated to the founder of the Edo shogunate and the sword culture of his era.
Connection to Swords
Okazaki Castle, as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, symbolizes the origins of the warlord who established 260 years of Edo peace, and holds multifaceted significance in sword culture. Ieyasu was renowned for his discerning eye in sword collection and authentication, and his possessions included numerous renowned blades. Among them, "Monoyoshi Sadamune" stands out as Ieyasu's beloved sword, said to have been carried without fail whenever he went into battle. Monoyoshi Sadamune is attributed to Sadamune, a disciple of Masamune from the late Kamakura through early Nanbokucho periods. It is a renowned blade characterized by deep niei with a gentle, calm undulation and small, irregular hamon patterns, and a clear blade metal. The name "Monoyoshi" is said to derive from Ieyasu's belief that carrying this sword would bring victory in battle—that "all things proceed auspiciously." Ieyasu is also famous for the legend surrounding "Muramasa" blades: his grandfather Kiyoyasu was cut by Muramasa, his father Hirotada was wounded by Muramasa, and Ieyasu himself was wounded by Muramasa in childhood. From this, he came to abhor Muramasa blades as the "cursed swords of the Tokugawa house." Muramasa was a master smith from Kuwana in Ise Province, renowned for his exceptionally sharp blades. Later, anti-Tokugawa loyalists wore Muramasa swords as a political symbol of resistance against the shogunate. Mikawa Province (present-day eastern Aichi Prefecture) had a lineage of "Mikawa-mono" sword smiths, and blades from the Owari-Mikawa region were widely used by warriors in the Tokai region for their practical cutting ability. In Okazaki, where Ieyasu spent his childhood, blacksmiths in the castle town manufactured swords, short swords, and farm tools in response to the demands of the warrior class. This forging tradition has been passed down to Okazaki's modern stone-working and metalworking cultures. Okazaki Castle Tenshu Museum and the "Dosu Kano Ieyasu Taiga Drama Hall" display swords, armor, and ancient documents related to Ieyasu, including restoration materials of Monoyoshi Sadamune and reproductions of Ieyasu's battle equipment.
Highlights
- Okazaki Castle tower (reconstruction) — birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu; swords, armor, and Mikawa samurai exhibits
- Ieyasu-kan — newly renovated (2023) museum with cutting-edge displays of Ieyasu's life and weapons
- Daijuji Temple — Tokugawa clan temple; the historic sightline to the castle is preserved to this day
- Okazaki stonemason culture — living tradition of the master craftsmen who built Japan's castle stone walls
- Otogawa river and cherry blossom promenade — beautiful castle and river scenery
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.