Okazaki Castle: Birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Famous Cherry Blossom Spot

Castle of Ieyasu's Birth

Okazaki Castle in Okazaki City, Aichi is known as the castle where Tokugawa Ieyasu was born in 1542. The current castle tower is a 1959 reconstruction, also called "Tatsu-ki (Dragon Castle)." Around Okazaki Castle is developed as "Okazaki Park," also famous as a cherry blossom spot.

Okazaki Park Cherry Blossoms

Okazaki Park is a cherry blossom spot selected in "Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots" with about 800 cherry trees coloring Okazaki Castle. Events including "Okazaki Cherry Blossom Festival and Ieyasu Warrior Team" are held during cherry blossom season attracting many tourists.

Hatcho Miso and Okazaki

Okazaki City is also famous as the production area of "Hatcho Miso." Hatcho Miso is traditional bean paste made in "Hatcho Village" about 8 cho (about 870m) west of Okazaki Castle, a seasoning representing Aichi's food culture. Factory tours of "Kakukyuu" and "Maruya Hatcho Miso" are popular.