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Okazaki Castle

was originally built in 1455 by a warrior named Saigo Tsugiyori.Captured by the Matsudaira family in 1524 (and probably relocated from the other side of the river), the castle remains associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu, even though the latter transferred to Edo in 1590.During the Edo period it served as the seat of the daimyo of the Mikawa province and dominated the city until the new Meiji Government came into power, which ordered obsolescent castle-buildings demolished.The main donjon was destroyed in order to earn foreign exchange from scrap metals.In 1959 the donjon was reconstructed to its original style and specifications, the walls are the same as those reconstructed in 1620 by Lord Honda.

Hatcho Miso

Is a dark miso paste made using a process of steaming soybeans (instead of boiling them) followed by maturation in cedar barrels under the weight of 3 tons of carefully stacked river stones for at least 2 years. Located 8 cho (Hatcho, or approximately 900m) west of Okazaki Castle near the Yahagi river, the old tiled buildings are heritage listed and one company (Kaku) has been a family business for 18 generations.It is one of the most famous miso producers in Japan, supplying the Emperor by appointment, and popular as a health food.The 2006 NHK morning drama serial, Junjo Kirari (Sparkling Innocence) was largely filmed in and around the Hatcho Miso grounds.Tours are available every 30 minutes and free samples are provided.Hatcho Miso's health properties are so great that it was donated to Chernobyl's citizens following the disaster, to help prevent and treat radiation sickness.

Takisan

The temple of Takisanji (7th century) includes several important cultural properties.The main hall is from the Kamakura period and is the location of a fire festival held each February on the closest Saturday to the lunar calendar New Year.The distinctive Sanmon gate and the Goddess of Mercy are designated as important cultural properties.Adjoining the temple is Takisan Toshogu, a shrine built in 1646 by Tokugawa Iemitsu and dedicated to his grandfather Ieyasu.It is considered to be one of the top 3 Toshogu shrines in Japan, together with Nikko and Kunozan.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Aside from Tokugawa Ieyasu, Okazaki is also well-known, and perhaps most famous for, its fireworks.The Tokugawa Shogunate restricted production of gunpowder outside of its immediate region (with few exceptions), and even today, more than seventy percent (70%) of Japan's fireworks are designed and manufactured here.A large fireworks festival, which people from all over Japan come to see, is held annually on the first Saturday in August in the area surrounding Okazaki Castle.

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