Oda Nobunaga, a historical hero! This is a route tracing his course of life; “Nobunaga’s Victory Road--The Battle of Okehazama--The Road to Life’s Huge Upset”
Oda Nobunaga is one of the most popular warriors in the Sengoku era in Japan. "Battle of Okehazama" was the event that led to his great leap to “Tenka-fubu” (governing the world with military power). Young Oda Nobunaga, who was 27 at the time, ambushed the army of Imagawa Yoshimoto who was called “The Best Archer of Tokaido” despite the great different in military strengths; it is said that Nobunaga kept a strong credo, took many decisive steps in winning this battle. “Nobunaga’s Victory Road--The Battle of Okehazama--The Road to Life’s Huge Upset” is a course intended to have a share of luck from this episode, created referring to the route Nobunaga actually ran through in this battle.
Follow Nobunaga’s fortunes of war! Three routes to pray for victory, by visiting spiritual and historic sites
There are various theories about the route to Okehazama, but the major three theories are the three kaido (roads) of Mino, Kamakura, and Ino. In “Nobunaga’s Victory Road,” we have arranged these three roads as roads of good fortune that have a share of luck from Nobunaga’s military prowess; they are respectively called “Mokkodo (based on Mino Kaido),” “Agehado (based on Kamakura Kaido),” and “Eirakudo (based on Inodo Kaido), as new tourist routes.
This time we will introduce “Mokkodo,” the main route of Nobunaga’s Victory Road and its several spots to drop by. “Mokkodo” is a route of Taigan Goun (great ambition and luck), with a full length of about 31.5 km.
A spot to drop by #1 【Kiyosu Castle】
Starting point for Nobunaga’s Tenka-fubu. Kiyosu Castle served as Nobunaga’s residence for about eight years since he was 20 years old; he departed from this castle at the Battle of Okehazama. The castle was rebuilt in this area in 1989 (the first year of Heisei). There is a statue of Nobunaga taking the field as well as of his wife, Lady Noh at Kiyosu Park; this place is popular as spiritual spot that brings you matrimonial / romantic happiness.
A spot to drop by #2 【Hioki Jinja Shrine】
Nobunaga donated 1,000 pine trees as a token of appreciation after triumph. There is a legend that Nobunaga prayed at this shrine for victory when going into the Battle of Okehazama and subsequently donated 1,000 pines to this site as a token of appreciation after triumph.
A spot to drop by #3 【Atsuta Jingu】
Nobunaga prayed for victory at this site in the Battle of Okehazama and donated a fence (Nobunaga-bei Wall) as a token of appreciation after the victory.
It is one of Japan's major shrines that enshrines the sword of Kusanagi-no-mitsurugi, which is one of Three Sacred Treasures.
A spot to drop by #4 【Okehazama Battlefield Park】
The place where Imagawa Yoshimoto drew his last breath. This is said to be the center of the battlefield of Okehazama; also called as Dengaku-tsubo, where Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was ousted from the headquarters at the hill of Okehazama to be attacked by Hattori Kazutada and Mori Yoshikatsu, drew his last breath.
