Okayama Castle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Okayama Castle 岡山城
Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Donjon Tower
An aerial view of Okayama Castle
Type	Azuchi-Momoyama castle
Site information
Controlled by	Nawa clan (1346-unknown) Kanamitu clan (1521-1528) Ukita clan (1570-1600) Kobayakawa clan (1600-1602) Ikeda clan (1602-1869) Japan (1869-present)
Condition	Surviving turrets and stone walls, concrete replica keep (1966)
Site history
Built	1346-1369 (Nawa clan) rebuilt 1590-1597 (Ukita Hideie) replica donjon completed 1966
In use	1346-1889
Materials	Wood, stone, plaster, tile.
Demolished	Moats: Ministry of War (1873-82), Main tower: US air raid (Jun 29, 1945)
Battles/wars	Contributed to Sekigahara (total loss)

Okayama Castle (岡山城, Okayama-jō) is a famous Japanese castle located in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Its main tower was finished in 1597. Sadly, it was destroyed in 1945 during World War II. But don't worry, a new concrete version was built in 1966! Two of its old watchtowers survived the bombing and are now protected as important cultural treasures by the Japanese government.

Okayama Castle looks very different from the bright white Himeji Castle nearby. Okayama Castle is famous for its black outside walls. This unique look earned it the nickname Crow Castle (U-jō). (Another black castle in Matsumoto, Nagano, is also called "Crow Castle," but its Japanese name is karasu-jō.)

Today, only a few parts of Okayama Castle's roof are shiny and gold, like the fish-shaped decorations called Shachihoko. But a long time ago, before a big battle called Sekigahara, the main tower also had golden roof tiles. Because of this, it was sometimes called Golden Crow Castle (Kin U-jō).

History of Okayama Castle
Gallery
See also

History of Okayama Castle

Building the Castle

In 1570, a powerful leader named Ukita Naoie took control of the castle. He started to rebuild and improve it. His son, Ukita Hideie, finished the big project in 1597. The castle became a strong and important place.

Changes in Ownership

Just three years after the castle was finished, Ukita Hideie chose the losing side in a very important battle called the Battle of Sekigahara. He was captured and sent away to an island prison. The castle and the lands around it were then given to another leader, Kobayakawa Hideaki.

However, Kobayakawa Hideaki died only two years later and had no children to take over. So, the castle was given to the Ikeda family. The Ikeda family later built a beautiful private garden next to the castle, which is now known as Kōraku-en.

The Castle in Modern Times

In 1869, the castle became the property of the Japanese government. At that time, the government thought old samurai castles were no longer needed. Like many other castles in Japan, parts of Okayama Castle were taken apart. Its outer moats (water ditches) were filled in, and some of its old walls slowly disappeared under the growing city.

On June 29, 1945, during World War II, planes from the Allied forces bombed the main tower and a nearby gate. They were completely destroyed. Only two watchtowers and some of the stone walls were left standing.

Rebuilding the Castle

Work to rebuild the main tower and gate started in 1964 and was finished in 1966. The new main tower is made of concrete. It has modern features like air-conditioning and elevators. Inside, you can find many displays that tell the story of the castle, especially focusing on the time when the Ikeda family owned it.

In 1996, the golden fish-shaped decorations on the rooftop were added as part of the castle's 400th anniversary celebration. Today, you can visit the inner part of the castle for free.