Samurai Homeland

Located in the heart of Japan, Aichi Prefecture was the center of the samurai era. It is the site of many important battles and the birthplace of many samurai, including the three most popular heroes in Japan: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu—also known as the Three Unifiers.

Many great stories of these samurai battling their way to the top of Japan took place here in Aichi. Come see the home of the warlords with your own eyes.

To remember your visit to the castle...
let's collect Gojoin!

Gojoin are commemorative seals offered at many castles. The castle's name and lord's family crest or seal are stamped on Japanese writing paper. Collect them to remember your visit to the castles.

Oda Nobunaga, the revered historical hero

One of the most popular samurai in Japan, Oda Nobunaga, was born in Aichi.
He was the inspiration for many comics and movies, garnering more interest among Japanese people than any other historical figure.
One of the qualities that makes him appealing is that he defied common sense and pioneered a new era.

For example, he created the familiar design used by castles all over Japan.
Before, castles consisted of embankments made from soil and were used as bases to defend and retaliate against enemies. However, Nobunaga strategically built castles, seeing them as symbols of power. He built castles with tall, strong stone walls that were difficult to penetrate and a top floor (castle keep) where only nobles were permitted. Using them, he succeeded in displaying his strength as the ruler of all of Japan. He also built a town around the castle and set up many policies to grow the economy. With his extremely talented leadership, he created a new era.

The life of Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)

Oda Nobunaga became a powerful daimyo (feudal lord) who strove to unify Japan, and succeeded in ruling most of Japan’s main island of Honshu during the latter half of the 16th century.

Like many geniuses, such as Edison and Newton, he is known to have been a nonconformist who surprised people around him with his strange antics when he was young. Outside of earshot, people called him "Owari no outsuke"—the fool of Owari. However, it is said that his father, Nobuhide, alone recognized his genius qualities.

Nobunaga won many battles and gained power. However, when he was only a step away from unifying all of Japan, he was betrayed by his retainer Akechi Mitsuhide, who attacked him one night at Honno-ji Temple in Kyoto and forced him to commit suicide. For a long time, Nobunaga was described as a brutal and eccentric person, but some studies show that he was polite, kind and chivalrous.

Historical spots associated with Nobunaga

Tokugawa Ieyasu created an era of peace without war

The last stretch of the long-running samurai era was the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868, about 300 years. This period saw the formation of a feudal society in which the shogun ruled with absolute power. The daimyo lords, under the close control of the shogunate, were placed in different areas and put in charge of provinces called domains. It is said that this system eliminated unnecessary fighting and brought about an era of peace.

Ukiyo-e, kabuki, and sushi, which are now common, all originated and were loved by many people in this era, and have been passed down to this day. In fact, many things that are associated with Japan were born in the Edo period.

And so, this era of peace and vitality in Japan was created by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was born in Aichi and is known as a brilliant samurai. He is also deemed one of the Three Unifiers (the three heroes of the Warring States period) along with Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Nobunaga's retainer, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, took over the power that he had built up and succeeded in unifying Japan. After Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu seized the top position and succeeded in becoming the ruler of all of Japan.

The life of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616)

Tokugawa Ieyasu was the founder and first shogun of the Edo shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Growing up in a time of chaotic military conflict, Ieyasu left his parents at the age of six as fulfillment of political promises made by his family and lived as a hostage for eleven years. It was during this time that he formed his patient and cautious personality. Nobunaga and Hideyoshi soon noticed his abilities, allied with him, and made him their vassal so he would not become their enemy.

After Hideyoshi's death, a power struggle erupted between the daimyo, and Ieyasu confronted Ishida Mitsunari, the leader of the five administrators protecting the Toyotomi government. This conflict led to the Battle of Sekigahara, in which the Eastern Army led by Ieyasu clashed with the Western Army led by Mitsunari. Ieyasu won and was appointed shogun by the Imperial Court in 1603, beginning the Edo shogunate.

Historical spots associated with Ieyasu

Inside the main building is the mortuary hall (admission fee: 400 yen for adults), which houses mortuary tablets (wooden plates with the name of a deceased person to honor their spirit) of the Tokugawa shogun. One interesting fact about these mortuary tablets is that they are the same height as the Tokugawa family shogun they honor at the time of their death.