Ogaki Castle 大垣城
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From Ogaki Station, a straight shopping road (Eki-dori) goes through the center of the city. A marker shows where you turn to visit Ogaki Castle.
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Marker pointing the way to Ogaki Castle, the symbol and main attraction of the city.
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Turn here to visit Ogaki Castle.
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East Gate, now the main gate to Ogaki Castle. 東門
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The original Ogaki Castle was said to be built in 1535 by the Toki Clan who ruled Mino Province (now Gifu).
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Ogaki Castle's East Gate (looking from the inside). This is not the Omotemon front gate which was a distance away from here (photos at bottom).
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Ogaki Castle's East Gate (looking from the inside).
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Ogaki Castle tower. In 1600 for the Battle of Sekigahara, Ogaki Castle was the base for Lord Ishida Mitsunari who led the Western Forces.
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Ogaki Castle tower (donjon) is four stories high. Now a museum.
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Site of a castle gate.
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West Gate 西門
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Ogaki Castle's cherry blossoms were more beautiful than I had expected.
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Ogaki Castle
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Ogaki Castle in April
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Ogaki Castle is within Ogaki Park.
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Ogaki Castle and cherry blossoms
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Ogaki Castle tower. In 1936, Ogaki Castle was designated as a National Treasure. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by fire in July 1945 due to World War II.
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Statue of Lord Toda Ujikane who was the castle lord in 1635. The Toda Clan occupied Ogaki Castle until the feudal era ended with Meiji Period.
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Statue of Lord Toda Ujikane who was the Ogaki Castle lord in 1635.
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Ogaki Castle
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Ogaki Castle's Inui Turret
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Inui Turret
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Entrance to Ogaki Castle tower. Admission 100 yen. Open 9 am to 5 pm (enter by 4:30 pm). Closed Tue. The castle tower was rebuilt in April 1959.
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Inside Ogaki Castle tower that is a castle history museum with a good display of samurai stuff.
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The first floor has exhibits related to Ogaki Castle and the Battle of Sekigahara. Samurai armor
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Explaining the parts of samurai armor.
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Touch-and-feel samurai weapons. Matchlock gun, bow, and spear (behind).
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Range of various weapons: Spear 6 meters, arrow 30 meters, bullet 200 meters, and cannon 1800 meters.
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Deadly spears
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Parts of a samurai warrior on horseback.
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Writing by Ishida Mitsunari and other allies. (Facsimile)
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Model of a battle
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Even computers for more info.
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Portraits of all the lords of Ogaki Castle.
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Toda Kazuaki (1541-1603), first lord of Ogaki Castle. 戸田一西
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Toda Ujitaka (1854-1936), last lord of Ogaki Castle. (Toda family)
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Top 4th floor of Ogaki Castle tower. There is no balcony, only glass windows.
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Taiko drum on top floor.
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View from the top floor of Ogaki Castle tower. This faces the adjacent park.
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In other directions, not much of a view from the Ogaki Castle tower.
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Even toward the city center, mostly trees blocking the worthless view.
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Looking toward Inui Turret.
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Inui Turret (not open to the public).
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Castle wall with weapon holes.
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Flood marker
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Small waterfall.
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Map of the original Ogaki Castle.
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Some distance away from the main castle tower is the site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate which was the front gate. Nothing remains today, only a small shrine.
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The site is squeezed into a small space by a big building.
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Shrine at the site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate.
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site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate.
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Site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate. It's within walking distance from the castle tower, but you'll need a map to find it.
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