Historical landmark • 959-2 Sekigahara, Fuwa District, Gifu 503-1501, Japan
Located in Sekigahara Town, Fuwa District, Gifu Prefecture, the “Site of Tokugawa Ieyasu's Final Encampment: Shogi Place” is where the Battle of Sekigahara, which greatly changed Japanese history, took place. Here, Tokugawa Ieyasu set his final encampment, marking the end of the Sengoku period and the beginning of the Edo Shogunate. Let’s visit this historic sanctuary and think back to the turbulent times of more than 400 years ago.
The Battle of Sekigahara occurred on October 21, 1600, where Tokugawa Ieyasu of the Eastern Army clashed with Ishida Mitsunari of the Western Army in a decisive battle for the fate of the nation. The site of Tokugawa Ieyasu's Final Encampment is where Ieyasu positioned himself during the final stage of the battle. Standing in the vast grass field, you can feel the tense atmosphere of the time.
The view from this spot is almost the same as what Ieyasu saw on the battlefield. It is said that this strategically superior position decided Ieyasu's victory. The knowledge you have read in history books becomes vivid and resonates deeply in your heart here.
Visit the Kubijikken Site: After the battle, Ieyasu confirmed the severed heads of enemy generals at this site, commemorated by the Kubijikken Stone, a witness to the ferocity of the battle.
Join a Guided Tour: A guided tour, available for 1,000 yen per hour, is highly recommended. You can gain a deeper understanding of the history while listening to detailed explanations.
Also Visit the Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum: In the adjacent museum, you can learn the full details of the battle through dioramas and videos. Viewing it in conjunction with the Final Encampment site will give you a more three-dimensional sense of history.
The Site of Tokugawa Ieyasu's Final Encampment is not just a historical site. It is a special place where you can experience the moment when Japanese history greatly shifted. When visiting Sekigahara, be sure to stand on this spot, feel the wind, and think back to the battle 400 years ago. You will feel the breath of living history that cannot be conveyed through history books.
A trip to Sekigahara gives us the weight of history and the lessons we learn from it. For those of us living in peaceful modern times, this place provides a valuable learning opportunity. It is recommended for not only history enthusiasts but also families and students. Why not see the turning point of Japanese history with your own eyes?