Ogaki – castle, water and local history

Ogaki is an ancient fortified town located southwest of Gifu Prefecture, famous for its samurai history and its spring water. A hidden travel destination in central Japan that offers a lot to do and see.

Castle of Ogaki

Ogaki Castle was one of the most beautiful castles in Japan with its main dungeon designated as the National Treasure of Japan in 1936. The historic castle played an important role until the greatest samurai battle in history near Sekigahara in 1600. The present main tower is a reconstruction of 1959 because the original was destroyed during the air raids of the Second World War. The main tower houses a museum on the castle and the decisive battle of Sekigahara, which led to a massive change in Japan and led to the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for more than 250 years. The castle is located in Ogaki Park, which is one of Gifu’s most famous cherry flower sites, making it a popular spring destination for watching sakuras.

The canals around the castle of Ogaki

Ogaki is known as “The Water City” because of the Suimon River and the numerous moats surrounding the city. The ancient moats of the castle of Ogaki form a magnificent canal around the old town, which gives it the nickname of “Venice of Japan”. It is possible to make a traditional wooden boat cruise (tarai-bune) along the canals. This unique experience is particularly pleasant in spring when cherry trees are in full bloom and form a picturesque tunnel along the banks. These wooden bundles float quietly on the canal in the perfect atmosphere by the boatmen in traditional costume. The experience of the tari-bune boat is based on the legendary story of Oan, a daughter of one of the vassals of Ishida Mitsunari, who escaped from the castle of Ogaki, after his defeat, during the battle of Sekigahara by descending the river in the darkness.

Water from natural source

Water wells from a natural source are found in many Ogaki places, in the city’s nickname “Gifu Water Town”. The slightly sweet spring water is really refreshing, especially after spending the day exploring the city on foot. One of the sources is at the Kagano Hachiman shrine, a short walk from JR Ogaki station. There are many natural sources scattered around Ogaki

The Oku no Hosomichi Travel Museum

Haiku Ogaki is famous for being the last stage in 1689 of the master poet Haiku Matsuo Basho on his walk from Edo (Tokyo) across Japan. Basho wrote about his adventures in a collection of poems, known as “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” or Oku no Hosomichi in Japanese. At the end of his incredible hike, Basho took a river boat from Ogaki to Kuwana in Mie Prefecture, and then to his birthplace, the Ninja d’Iga bastion, also in Mie Prefecture.

The museum highlights Basho’s travels and the places he visited along the way, as well as some of Ogaki’s famous historical figures. Entry costs 300 yen.

The toughest Senbei in Japan

An essential delicacy in Ogaki is miso-iri-senbei. This traditional confectionery has been manufactured for more than 150 years in Ogaki, the secret recipe being passed on from generation to generation. These delicious treats are handmade with miso dough and grilled on embers. They are known as the toughest rice crackers in Japan, it is said that they give the impression of chewing a rock. The hard texture is obtained by folding the senbei four times. The best place to try them is Tanakaya Senbei Sohonke, located a few steps from JR Ogaki train station.

Mizu-manju

This sweetness consists of a translucent jelly prepared using the source water of Ogaki, stuffed with sankou (red beans paste). Mizu-manju are usually served in summer to help cool off heat, but are generally available from late spring. The best place to try them is one of the stands on the main road, south of Ogaki station.

Easily accessible from Nagoya and theChubu, Ogaki will be a pleasant getaway for a day.

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