Okayama Castle

This castle was created by Warlord Hideie Ukita in 1597. The main castle was built on top of a hill named Okayama, and the Tensyu (castle tower), was built in front of the Asahikawa River. The adjacent castle town was created with merchants and craftsmen. This castle town became the foundation of the town we see today. The Okayama Castle became the origin of the region, and town name. After the battle of Sekigahara, Hideaki Kobayakawa, and later the Ikeda clan became the owner. After that, it is history as the government collapsed.

The first floor is uniquely shaped in an asymmetrical pentagon. There is a black board pasted on the castle walls, earning its name “Ujo (Crow Castle)”. Inside, is the “Hall of the Castle Lord”, which is created like a library, which represents the power of the castle lord. The tower was burnt down in 1945 during the war, but it was rebuilt in 1966.

According to ancient text, the castle once had around 60 turrets, and scaffolding. It is also guarded by a moat five fold. The “Nishite-Yagura” (Western Turret), and “Tsukimi-Yagura” (Moon Watching Turret) are the only buildings that still retain their shape from the old days.

The refurbished castle tower has exhibits inside. The castle ruins is now the “Ujo Park ”. The “Ujo Togenkyo (Utopia) features lighting installations on the castle tower and its surrounding, and is held during Spring to Autumn.