Okazaki

Okazaki (岡崎) is a city in the centre of Aichi Prefecture, lying midway between Nagoya and Toyohashi in the Chubu region of Japan. It has a long history, but is best known as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the warlord who unified Japan and founded the Tokugawa Shogunate. Okazaki Castle, where Ieyasu was born, is the focus of the city, which prospered as an important post town on the old Tokaido road and as a river port.

The city's other great claim to fame is Hatchō miso, a dark, dense fermented soybean paste produced here for centuries — once favoured by the Meiji Emperor and still the city's signature delicacy. Visitors can tour the historic miso warehouses near the Yahagi River. Okazaki is also home to the Yamasa Institute, a well-known Japanese-language school, giving the city a modest international student population.

The climate follows the Chubu pattern of hot, humid summers and cool winters, with comfortable conditions in spring and autumn. Cherry blossom around Okazaki Castle in April and the major fireworks festival in August are seasonal highlights. The central and southern parts of the city are flat and pleasant for cycling; the main tourist sights cluster around the castle in the city centre.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) near Nagoya. From the airport, Higashi-Okazaki Station is reached on the Meitetsu Line in about 65 minutes for ¥1,210.

By Train

Okazaki has three useful stations. JR Okazaki Station, on the Tokaido Main Line, is in the south of the city. Higashi-Okazaki, on the private Meitetsu Line, is in the central part and most convenient for the main sights — Okazaki Castle, Rokusho Jinja, Iga Hachimangu and Daijuji temple. Naka-Okazaki, on the Aichi Loop Line, is an alternative for Okazaki Castle (a 10-minute walk away). From Nagoya, JR Tokaido Main Line shin-kaisoku trains reach Okazaki in 30 minutes (¥600), and Meitetsu trains reach Higashi-Okazaki in 40 minutes (¥650); from Toyohashi it is about 20–25 minutes by either. From Tokyo, take a Shinkansen to Nagoya and backtrack — about 2½–3 hours total, around ¥11,000. JR services are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but the Meitetsu and Aichi Loop lines are not.

By Car / Road

Okazaki lies on the Tokaido corridor and is well connected by road to Nagoya, Toyota and Toyohashi. An extensive bus network (Meitetsu and JR buses) covers the city, though it is difficult to use without some Japanese.

Okazaki has an extensive bus network (Meitetsu and JR buses) that is hard to use without reading and speaking some Japanese. The central and southern parts of the city are fairly flat and well suited to exploring by bicycle. The castle and main sights are within walking distance of Higashi-Okazaki and Naka-Okazaki stations. There are no notable scams.

• Okazaki Castle (岡崎城) — the city's centrepiece, birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, set in a park dotted with statues including a bronze of Ieyasu himself; a popular cherry-blossom spot in April. A 10-minute walk from Okazaki Koen-mae Station (Meitetsu) or Naka-Okazaki Station (Aichi Loop Line). Open 09:00–17:00. Tel: +81 564-22-2122.

• Takisan Temple (滝山寺) — a 7th-century temple, with the adjoining Takisan Toshogu shrine, considered one of Japan's top three Toshogu shrines alongside Nikko and Kunozan.

• Iga Hachimangu Shrine (伊賀八幡宮) — a historic shrine in the city.

• Toyama Kofun — an archaeological site not far south of the Aeon shopping mall, where several burial mounds from the Kofun period are still visible.

• Hatchō Miso Tour — visit the historic, heritage-listed miso warehouses west of Okazaki Castle near the Yahagi River; tours run every 30 minutes with free samples, including at Kaku, a family business of 18 generations.

• Time your visit for a festival — Okazaki's large fireworks festival, drawing visitors from across Japan, is held on the first Saturday in August around the castle; the fire festival at Takisan Temple takes place each February.

• Study Japanese — the Yamasa Institute, at 1-2-1 Hanehigashi-machi, is a well-known non-profit language school offering courses from beginner to advanced. Tel: +81 564-55-8111.

• View cherry blossom around Okazaki Castle in April.

Okazaki's food draws on Aichi cuisine, with Hatchō miso underpinning many local dishes. The city also has a notable South Asian dining scene, partly serving its international student community.

• Kitsutsuki (啄木鳥, "woodpecker") — a small, quiet, fairly cheap coffee shop next to the Yamasa Institute, known for its excellent "curry and rice"; menu in Japanese.
• Beverly Hills (ビバリー・ヒルズ) — a serene coffee lounge (kissaten) north of the Yamasa Institute, a little expensive but with delicious food and a large selection of gift-wrapped cakes and sweets; menu in Japanese.
• Welcome Nepal — a Nepalese and Indian curry-and-naan restaurant midway between Higashi-Okazaki Station and Aeon Mall, with a nice atmosphere, reasonable prices, adjustable spice levels (0–4) and English-speaking staff and menus. Address: 1-20 Nan-myodaiji-cho.
• Maya Indian and Nepali restaurant — a curry and naan spot near Higashi-Okazaki, with takeaway available. Open 11:00–22:00. Tel: +81 564-28-5617.
• Peppers — a fairly inexpensive Tex-Mex restaurant near Higashi-Okazaki serving tacos, quesadillas and wraps; menu in Japanese.

The Nepalese and Indian restaurants offer good vegetarian options.

Several good restaurants and bars cluster near Okazaki Castle and Higashi-Okazaki Station. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the city.

• Budget: Business hotels near the castle start from around ¥5,500 per night for a single.
• Mid-range: Okazaki Dai-ichi Hotel — a popular business hotel next to the Sugo River near the castle, about 5 minutes' walk from Higashi-Okazaki Station, with good restaurants and bars nearby; from ¥5,500 per single.
• Upscale / heritage: Okazaki New Grand Hotel — close to the castle and the most comfortable hotel in the city (around 3-star standard; Okazaki has no luxury hotel); rooms from about ¥8,100 per night for a single.

The signature local product is Hatchō miso (八丁味噌), the dark red fermented soybean paste that originates from Okazaki and is the most famous local delicacy. It is sold at the historic miso makers near the Yahagi River and at shops around the city. Bargaining is not customary.

• Nagoya — the bright lights of Aichi's main city, a short express train ride away.
• Toyota — north, the company town of Toyota Motor Corporation.
• Toyohashi — east along the Tokaido line, a port city with a working streetcar.
• Gamagori — south on the coast, a hot-spring and resort town on Mikawa Bay.
• Nishio — south-west, a town known for green tea (matcha) production.
• Toyokawa — east, home to the famous Toyokawa Inari shrine-temple.