Okawachi Castle, Japanese castle in Matsusaka, Japan
Okawachi Castle sits on a 50-meter hill with steep slopes overlooking the Sakauchi river's upstream section. The grounds feature clay walls, moats, and several defensive structures positioned to take advantage of the natural terrain.
The site was first built in 1455 by Saigo Tsugiyori as an earthen fortification and took its current shape when Matsudaira Kiyoyasu rebuilt it in 1524. It holds significance as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1542.
The castle site now contains a shrine and museum that displays artifacts relating to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was born within these walls in 1542.
The reconstructed donjon from 1959 can be visited and contains exhibits about the site's history. The surrounding parkland and valley setting allow plenty of time to explore the grounds comfortably.
A deep valley called Mamushidani separates the main area from the western sector and marks where major battles occurred during Nobunaga Oda's siege. This natural barrier was crucial to the site's defense strategy.
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