【岡崎城】家康ロールと抹茶ぜんざいを食べる/vlog/岡崎市旅行
Hello, this is YanValue. Today we’ve come to Okazaki Castle, the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, located in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. The Otemon Gate is located along National Route 1. The area around Okazaki Castle is called Kosei-cho, named because it’s where Ieyasu was born. It’s a 15-minute walk from Meitetsu “Higashi-Okazaki Station” and Aichi Loop Railway “Naka-Okazaki Station.” From Nagoya Station, both JR Okazaki and Meitetsu Higashi-Okazaki take about 30 minutes. The Meitetsu Higashi-Okazaki Station, which requires no transfers, is the most convenient from Nagoya. Next to the shop is the “Ninomaru Well Ruins.” It was discovered during an excavation in 2007. The well no longer holds water. The pulley has also been recreated. This is the souvenir shop called “Hyotanya.” During cherry blossom season, their jumbo dango is very popular. If you want the extra-large dango, you’ll need to go in the morning or it’ll be sold out. Excavation work continues at the Okazaki Castle site. Artifacts are being unearthed from the moat area. The mechanical clock has started moving. A mechanical Tokugawa Ieyasu performs Noh. He puts on a Noh mask. Then, the doors quietly close again. It opens every hour at 00 and 30 minutes, so don’t miss it. This statue is based on the famous “Scowling Portrait” owned by the Tokugawa Art Museum. It was believed to depict Tokugawa Ieyasu after his defeat at the Battle of Mikatagahara. However, recent research has shown there is no evidence for this story, and the painting isn’t of that battle. History evolves as research progresses. This is the Ninomaru Noh Theater. It was built in 1989. It is used not only for Noh but also for taiko and concerts. Okazaki is also known for jazz, and this theater serves as a venue for the Jazz Street event. We’ll pass by the Noh Theater and head toward Sakatani Kuruwa. We go down the slope behind the theater. You can see a statue of Takechiyo. He has a youthful face. Takechiyo was Tokugawa Ieyasu’s childhood name. The name “Takechiyo” was traditionally passed on to heirs of the shogunate. Even Hidetada and Iemitsu used the childhood name Takechiyo. This is the sacred well used for Ieyasu’s first bath. Water from this well was used for Takechiyo’s first bath. Today, it’s considered a hidden power spot. You can draw water from the well and touch it.
The hydrangeas are in full bloom. A stream joins the Oto River here. During cherry blossom season, many people lay out picnic sheets and enjoy parties here. This is where the Sakatani Gate once stood. It was built as a defense point after the Battle of Sekigahara, to keep watch on the Toyotomi clan in the west. Now we’re visiting the Hō-no-zuka Mound. Hō-no refers to the placenta and afterbirth from childbirth. Ieyasu’s was buried here. This mound was built in 1936, but it was originally enshrined south of the main keep. It’s often overlooked by tourists for some reason. Perhaps people rush past it, eager to get to the castle. This is the north sleeve stone wall of the main keep’s buried gate.
It is believed to date from the early Edo period. The stone wall is over 10 meters tall. Climbing this slope will take us to the main keep. Castles always have lots of slopes.
Walking uphill is good exercise. That’s why castle walks are great for your health. We’ve arrived at the Okazaki Castle keep. A turtle statue bears the teachings of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This plaque shows Ieyasu’s final words. This is another power spot: the Dragon Well. Legend says a dragon god appeared at Ieyasu’s birth, and the water of this well burst forth and was offered to the god. In 2024, Okazaki Castle was transformed into a much more photogenic site. Trees growing on the south side of the keep were cut down. Here’s an old photo. Two pine trees used to grow here. They obstructed photos, so they were nicknamed the “disappointing pines.” They were about 100 years old. This is the reconstructed 3-story, 5-floor main keep, rebuilt in 1959.
Admission to Okazaki Castle is 300 yen for adults, 150 yen for children. Next to the castle is Tatsuki Shrine. A legend says that a golden dragon appeared on the morning of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s birth. During New Year’s, visitors are served rabbit soup, a tradition from Edo Castle, free of charge. There are many types of omikuji (fortune slips). There are also special cherry blossom-season-only stamps. This is Seikai Moat, a dry moat.
The stone wall curves inward. The wall is 9.5 meters tall.
A few times a year, visitors are allowed to descend into it. I’m getting hungry, so I’ll head to Jonantei. Walking past the stone walls below Tatsumi Turret Base. The Edo-style stonework here is the most refined in all of Okazaki Castle. The moat is completely green with aquatic plants. We’ve arrived at Jonantei. If you’re a little hungry or want to relax with matcha and sweets, the casual tea area is recommended. Some people hesitate because they don’t know the etiquette, but here, you can enjoy matcha comfortably. Weekend-only matcha sweets: the lucky “Ieyasu Roll” for 800 yen. I ordered the matcha shiratama zenzai (sweet red bean soup) for 700 yen. It comes with roasted green tea and konbu & plum. The bitterness of the matcha, the sweetness of the zenzai, and the chewy shiratama—perfect. One shiratama escaped! Swim, little shiratama♪ It was delicious. Thank you for the meal. Leaving Jonantei, we’re heading toward Shinbashi Bridge. The bright red color of Shinbashi is stunning. During cherry blossom season, it looks like this—so festive. From Shinbashi Bridge, you can look up and see Okazaki Castle. That was our tour of Okazaki Castle. Thank you very much for watching until the end.
ご視聴ありがとうございます
今回は徳川家康生誕の城、岡崎城です。
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