Considered one of Japan’s 100 most famous castles, Okazaki Castle is famous as the birthplace of the mighty shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the Battle of Okehazama, Ieyasu re-took the castle from the Imagawa clan and achieved independence. Thereafter, Ieyasu moved his base of operations to Hamamatsu Castle in 1570. Until he defeated the Toyotomi clan at the Battle of Osaka in 1615, Tanaka Yoshimasa, a member of the Toyotomi clan, was the lord of the castle. After Ieyasu unified the country, high status hereditary daimyo lords, whose families had supported Ieyasu, inherited the lordship of the castle. Inside the castle, each floor contains displays of historical materials focusing on a different theme. From the observation room, visitors can get a sweeping view of Okazaki. The castle is also renowned for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.