The Imagawa forces were celebrating their recent victories over a number of smaller Oda-held castles with sake and food. Using a thunderstorm to mask their movements, the Oda troops left the Zenshoji Temple and made their way down from hills above the small valley, and struck hard at the heart of the Imagawa camp.

Imagawa Yoshimoto was in his tent-like war camp enclosure when he heard the first of the fighting. Thinking it was a drunken brawl amongst his men, he left the camp to investigate, and was shocked to see Oda troops bearing down on him. Imagawa fought off one attack by a spear-wielding Oda samurai, cutting through the spear thrust at him, and into the man's leg. He was then tackled by a second Oda samurai, who promptly took his head. Imagawa Yoshimoto was just 41 years old.

The battle raged for a short while afterwards, but with their leader having been dispatched early, and all but two of the senior officers killed, the remaining men surrendered. Nobunaga's 2,500 troops had defeated an army of 25,000!

This was one of the most significant turning points in Japanese history.
The battle saw the end of the powerful Imagawa clan, while Nobunaga took his first steps towards ruling the nation before being assassinated in 1582. It also allowed the freedom of one of the Imagawa clan's prized hostages, a man who would eventually become shogun and unifier of Japan: Tokugawa Ieyasu!

The Historic Okehazama Battlefield is now a park with panels, explanations, and guides walking you through the historic battle. The new Okehazama Battlefield Tourist Information Center, opened in 2019, lets you try on armor and capture the moment with commemorative photos. And of course, materials relating to the battle as well as warrior and character Okewanko merchandise is available for purchase.
Use the Center as base for your walk through the Historic Okehazama Battlefield and a chance to gain an even further understanding of the epic fight.

Operating hours: 10:00 am–4:00 pm (closed at times during summer vacation and the year-end and new year holiday)
Address: 2037 Makiyama, Okehazama, Midori-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi