Historic Sites of Okazaki

Okazaki Castle

A symbol of the city, Okazaki Castle has long played a dominant role in the development of the city and its surrounds. Originally built in the mid-1450s, but was later moved to its current site in the early 1500s. After its establishment, the surrounding area became a prosperous castle town, thanks in a large part to its central location on the Tokaido highway between Kyoto and Tokyo (which at that time was called Edo). Today the castle features five interior floors, many of which are home to exhibits displaying artifacts from the original castle and other historical items such as armor, swords, and dioramas recreating scenes from local history. Take a strong around the castle and you’ll find a samurai-centric museum, teahouses, a Noh theater, and a small clock tower.

Okazaki Castle

4.0

344 Reviews

Aichi Pref. Okazakishi Kouseichou 561-1

0564222122

[Okazaki Castle]9:00-17:00(L…

View All

Go here

Tatsuki Shrine

Sitting adjacent to Okazaki Castle is Tatsuki Shrine, one of the city’s main local spiritual points of interest. Typically the temple is visited for significant life moments, including children’s coming of age milestones, New Year’s Day and wedding ceremonies. Here you’ll find idols dedicated to two of Japan’s famous Samurai, Ieyasu Tokugawa and Tadakatsu Honda. If you visit on or the days following New Year’s you can also sample usagi ziru (rabbit soup) which is served to visiting guests.

Matsukijima Yawata Yashiro

Aichi Nishio-shi Isshikicho Matsukijima

View All

Go here

Takisanji Temple and Takisanji Toshogu Shrine

Both located on the northern corners of Okazaki, Takisanji Toshogu Shrine and Takisanji Temple are both historical and spiritual treasures of the city and both are worth visiting if you do make it to the area. The Takisanji Temple you see today was built by a famous priest named Kanden, he was a cousin of Japan’s great founder of the Kamakura shogunate (Japanese feudal family) Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199). It’s said that Yoritomo’s teeth and hair have been enshrined here inside temple’s the statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Takisanji Temple and Takisanji Toshogu Shrine

Takisanji Shrine was built in 1646, and today it (alongside with its neighboring temple) is home to the Oni Matsuri, which runs on the Saturday closest to the seventh day of the lunar calendar. It’s a vibrant an elaborate fire festival dedicated to Japan’s great demon/ ogre Oni.

Takisanji Temple

Aichi Okazaki-shi Takicho Yama Komori 107

0564462296

View All

Go here

Old Streets Lined with Miso Storehouses (Hatchokura-dori)

Located a short walk from Okazaki Castle you’ll find two rustic looking manufactories. These buildings are the city’s famous miso storehouses, which still to this day continue to produce the area’s delicious, traditional, dark red miso paste. With a history that stretches back over 500 years, it’s definitely worth visiting to get a newfound appreciation for this local culinary staple. You can sign up for a tour through the storehouses and sample the miso produced here.

Honda Tadatsugu House

Built in 1932, the Honda Tadatsugu House is a fascinating architectural hybrid. A mix of western and Japanese design, it’s open for public inspection and sits on the edge of the East Park. Wander through the house to soak up its historic atmosphere and learn more about the early Showa-era, in which it was created. Arguably, the most striking feature of this house is its stained glass windows, which filter in different hues of light, and its meticulously crafted mosaic patterned bathrooms.

Former Residence of Honda Tadatsugu

4.0

22 Reviews

Aichi Pref. Okazakishi Kakemachi Ashinobe 40-1

0564235015

9:00-17:00(Last entry16:30)

View All

Go here

Daijuji Shrine

Founded in 1475, the Daijuji Shrine is another one of the city’s popular spiritual sites, however what makes this place so culturally significant is its rich historical connection to the powerful Japanese leader Tokugawa Ieyasu. Founded by the ancestors of the Tokugawa clan the Matsudairas, it’s said that this is where Ieyasu once visited to seek refuge from conflict, determined to commit suicide in front of the graves of his ancestors, before a priest intervened and encouraged Ieyasu not to give up hope.

Daijuji Temple

4.0

89 Reviews

Aichi Pref. Okazakishi Kamodachou Hiromoto 5-1

0564213917

9:00-16:00(Last entry15:30)

View All

Go here

Okazaki Micro Hotel ANGLE

籠田町21 センガイドウ21 Okazaki