Okayama Castle

 

   My home town, Okayama city is a castle town.  Okayama Castle also known as "crow castle" due to its black exterior, was built in 1597 during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period.   The original castle was destroyed in the last year of World War 2,  but a reconstruction was made in 1966. The castle is located on the Asahi River, which was used as a moat. Korakuen Garden  is located just across the river.

The main building of the castle is the six story castle keep. The keep's interior is modern and displays exhibits on the history and development of the castle. Only one of Okayama Castle's original buildings escaped destruction, the Tsukimi Yagura ("moon viewing turret"), which dates back to 1620.


There are also reconstructions and unearthed foundations of former buildings, which help illustrate the former extent of the castle's complex of buildings.


The castle is easily accessble from Okayama station by street car or  local bus, even on foot. You can visit the English website as below for further information.

Okayama Castle