Okazaki Castle, Where You Can Feel Ieyasu's Presence The castle tower was rebuilt in 1959. The second, third, and fourth floors comprise a document museum, while the fifth floor is an observatory, where you can see the entire Mikawa Bay. In the museum you can see the armor and swords used by the Mikawa warriors, a miniature model of Okazaki during the Yedo period, and a video recording. On the west side of the castle is a well from which was taken the water used at Ieyasu's birth. ●561 Kosei-cho, Okazaki　TEL:0564-22-2122　A 10-minute walk from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station

Iga Hachiman-gu, a Shrine with a Beautiful Lotus Garden This was a guardian shrine of the four generations of the Matsudaira family. It was used to petition for victories in war and for the prosperity of the descendants. It is said to have been brought from Mie Prefecture. Ieyasu visited this shrine before any big battle. The building is a bright red and is gorgeously ornamented in the finest detail. Almost all the items in the shrine are designated as important cultural assets. ●86 Higashigonaka, Iga-cho, Okazaki　TEL:0564-26-2789　15 minutes by bus from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station.

Rokusho Shrine, Visit This Temple and Feel Like a Daimyo This shrine has been honored by the Tokugawa family for generations. The baby Ieyasu received his consecration here. When you walk up the steps leading to the shrine, where only daimyos of over 50,000 koku could walk, you will come to a bright-colored gate. After walking past this gate you will come to the main shrine. ●44 Myoudaiji-mimitori, Okazaki　TEL:0564-51-2930　A 5-minute walk from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station.

Takisan Toshogu Shrine, One of the Three Toshogus of Japan This shrine was built by the third generation Tokugawa, Iemitsu, and is considered one of the three shrines named Toshogu, a name given to shrines built by the Tokugawas. The other two are Nikko and Kuno. In contrast to its colorful main shrine and altar, the area has a sense of solemness. The 50 stone lanterns within its compounds have been donated by various generations of the Tokugawa family. The adjoining Takisan temple is a much older building, dating back to the Kamakura period. ●117 Yamakago, Taki-cho, Okazaki　TEL:0564-46-2516　23 minutes by bus from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station, and get off at Takisan bus stop and walk 3 minutes.