Members of the Okayama Sengoku Busho-tai, who are based at Okayama Castle, tried to find out why Okayama Castle is so popular.
2024.10.10Okayama Castle's main tower, which was reopened after a major Reiwa renovation in 2022, has become a popular spot visited by many tourists, ranking 5th (※) in the nationwide castle visitor ranking.
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Table of Contents
- What is Okayama Castle?
- Inside Okayama Castle's main tower (1st to 3rd floors)
- Inside Okayama Castle's main tower (4th to 6th floors)
- Experience the Sengoku and Edo periods in the experience corner
- Spots where you can take commemorative photos riding on a horse or in a palanquin are also popular.
- Enjoy a castle parfait at the cafe inside the castle tower
- Kinujojo Shoten (1st basement floor) has a wide selection of Okayama souvenirs
- Anyone can rent out the castle tower
- You can experience making Bizen Pottery at the castle
- Introducing the attractions for enthusiasts
- Volunteer guides are also available
- Various events are held throughout the year
- Access to Okayama Castle
- Conclusion
What is Okayama Castle?
Okayama Castle was originally built by Ukita Naoie. His son Hideie, with the cooperation of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, completed the prototype of the current Okayama Castle. The castle tower, which was destroyed in a fire during the war, was also completed at this time (around 1597), and had three exterior floors and six interior floors. The exterior walls were covered with black boards, so it was also known as "Ujo (Crow Castle)". The castle was gradually expanded and improved by Kobayakawa Hideaki and the Ikeda clan, who later became lords, and it has taken on its current appearance. The exterior of the destroyed castle tower was restored in 1966, and is being renewed in 2022 as part of a major renovation project to mark the Reiwa era.
Inside Okayama Castle's main tower (1st to 3rd floors)
The exterior has three floors, but the interior has seven floors, with the first floor being an experience photo corner called "Sengoku Emaki," the second floor being themed around Ikeda Mitsumasa and Tsunamasa "Okayama in the Edo Period," and the third floor being "Each Sekigahara." On each floor, you can see exhibits and detailed explanations according to the theme.
Inside Okayama Castle's main tower (4th to 6th floors)
The fourth floor is dedicated to the Okayama Warring States period, with exhibits on "Ukita Naoie and Hideie," the fifth floor on "The castle town that continues to this day," and the sixth floor on "The appearance of the top floor," the charm of the "crow Okayama Castle. On the first floor of Shiogura, there is a corner related to Okayama's ninjas, where you can enjoy games and other activities. There is also a "Kinarasu Castle Shop" where you can purchase souvenirs from Okayama. The exhibits inside the castle tower are supervised by Okayama City-born historian Michifumi Isoda, who is well known for his work on film and television, and you can learn about the history of Okayama Castle while having fun.
Experience the Sengoku and Edo periods in the experience corner
At the experience corner on the first floor, you can try on princess and prince costumes for free. You can also pick up swords and guns and feel their actual weight.
Spots where you can take commemorative photos riding on a horse or in a palanquin are also popular.
There are also spots where you can take commemorative photos while riding a horse or in a palanquin. Next to the palanquin is a replica of the toilet for the prince and princess, and you can see the facilities based on historical accuracy.
Enjoy a castle parfait at the cafe inside the castle tower
On the first floor of the castle tower, there is a rare castle tower cafe called "Karajo Cafe". The specialty is the "Castle Parfait" which changes with the seasons. You can enjoy melon parfait, strawberry parfait, Okayama specialty muscat parfait, and peach parfait.
The parfait is topped with a castle-shaped monaka wafer. There is also a matcha-flavored "Ukita Parfait," which comes with a monaka wafer with the character "ko" (child), the emblem of the Ukita family. The peach parfait, available in the summer, is especially highly acclaimed as an exceptional dish made with white peaches, a specialty of Okayama.
Kinujojo Shoten (1st basement floor) has a wide selection of Okayama souvenirs
On the first basement floor, you will find the Kinujojo Shoten, which has a wide selection of Okayama souvenirs. They stock a wide variety of products, from standard Okayama souvenirs such as Kibi Dango, to Okayama-style products made with peaches, muscat grapes, and jeans, local Okayama sake and beer, and original Okayama Castle goods. You can also purchase the popular castle seal here.
Anyone can rent out the castle tower
As a special service of Okayama Castle, it is possible to rent the castle exclusively for the night for individuals or groups. This service has been used by many people since the castle reopened and has been very well received. Prices are set at reasonable prices, and the castle is used for a variety of purposes, including weddings, various offline get-togethers, corporate and group meetings, ceremonies, and entertainment. You can also eat and drink inside the castle tower, allowing you to enjoy the special space that can only be achieved by renting the castle exclusively.
You can experience making Bizen Pottery at the castle
There is a Bizen Bizen Pottery workshop inside Karasujo Park. Here, you can experience making small bowls, chopstick rests, square plates, and more from clay using a potter's wheel. The experience takes about 30 minutes to an hour and is reasonably priced. The staff will provide careful instruction, so even beginners can enjoy the experience with peace of mind. Your work will be fired in the workshop and delivered to you in about two months.
Introducing the attractions for enthusiasts
①The castle tower looks different depending on the direction
Okayama Castle main tower is a rare castle that looks completely different depending on the direction you view it from. From the square in front of the main tower or the direction of Tsukimibashi Bridge leading to Okayama Korakuen Garden, where many people see it, it looks solid and stable, but from the east it looks so slender and slim that it's hard to believe it's the same main tower. This is because the plan of the first floor is not a square but a scalene pentagon. If you take the "Okayama Asahikawa Sightseeing Cruise", you can enjoy the view of Okayama Castle main tower from various angles.
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②Stone wall reappears for the first time in 100 years
A stone wall has been built along the moat on the west side of Okayama Castle's Ninomaru, but in 2023, this stone wall on the inside of the castle was revealed for the first time in about 100 years. For unknown reasons, it had been filled with earth during the Meiji period, but was discovered during excavations a few years ago, and repairs and maintenance have been carried out for the past three years. In this way, Okayama Castle is gradually regaining its former appearance.
3. Another existing tower other than the Tsukimi Tower
On the west side of the castle tower, in the middle section of the Honmaru of Okayama Castle, is the three-story Tsukimi Tower, which escaped damage during the Okayama air raids. However, there is one other surviving tower in Okayama Castle. On the west side across the road to the former Okayama Civic Hall, in the former Nishinomaru (within the grounds of the former Uchisange Elementary School), is the Nishinomaru Nishite Tower. Until a few years ago, it could only be seen from the east side, but since the apartment building in front of the tower was demolished, the west side of the tower can now be seen clearly from the Okayama Symphony Building side.
④The power spot called Rengeishi
Although it is not well known, there is a power spot called Renge-seki at the top of the stone steps leading from Ninomaru to the Myobumon Gate. It is a stone carved with a lotus flower, and legend has it that if someone with a toothache prays there, the pain will be relieved. However, according to a curator at Okayama Castle Tower, although it is mentioned in the "Okayama Meisho Zue," it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location with current research.
⑤ Ukita era stone walls buried underground
On the level inside the Honmaru where the Tsukimi Tower is located, there are two fenced-in staircases from which you can see the stone wall buried underground. This stone wall was built by Ukita Hideie when the castle was first built, and was discovered during excavations in 1993 after being buried during the expansion and renovation of Okayama Castle by the Ikeda family.
Volunteer guides are also available
The Okayama City Volunteer Tourist Information Center is located right next to the Okayama Castle tower. Volunteer guides wearing yellow-green hats and jackets from the Okayama City Tourist Volunteer Activities Liaison Committee (Okayama Momotaro Guide) will show you around Okayama Castle for free. Regular guided tours are conducted four times a day (10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30) from 10:00 to 16:00. However, they are closed on the third Thursday of every month, the New Year holidays (12/26-1/6), August, rainy days, extremely hot days, and days when warnings are issued.
Various events are held throughout the year
Since the reopening, various events have been held within Okayama Castle, the neighboring Ishiyama Park, Okayama Korakuen Garden, and elsewhere, including summer and autumn night events, mystery solving games, events in collaboration with game apps, and stages featuring samurai troops from all over the country. More events that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike are planned for the future. Event information can be found on the Okayama Castle official website.
Access to Okayama Castle
From JR Okayama Station, take the streetcar bound for Higashiyama for about 5 minutes, get off at "Joshika" and walk for about 10 minutes. If you take the bus, take the Okaden Takaya bound or Higashiyama via Saidaiji bound, get off at "Kencho-mae" and walk for about 5 minutes. By car, head east from the Okayama IC on the Sanyo Expressway for about 20 minutes. There is no dedicated parking lot at Okayama Castle, but the closest parking lot to the castle tower is Karasujo Park Parking Lot. If you are also planning to visit Okayama Korakuen Garden, the Okayama Korakuen Garden Parking Lot is convenient.
Conclusion
The charm of Okayama Castle can be enjoyed throughout the year. In spring, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms along the Asahi River and the Sakura Carnival, and in spring, summer, and autumn, you can enjoy the beautiful illumination of the "U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo" at the end of the train street (Momotaro Boulevard) that runs in a straight line from the east exit of JR Okayama Station, and you will find Okayama Castle and Okayama Korakuen Garden. Events are scheduled every weekend in October and November 2024, and the Okayama Sengoku Busho-tai will be ready to welcome you and look forward to your visit.
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