Since I had to go to Ogaki City, I decided to also visit Ogaki Castle, a historical facility, and the Oku-no-Hosomichi Memorial Museum.
Oku no Hosomichi Musubi no Chi Memorial Museum
Everyone probably knows about Matsuo Basho’s “Oku no Hosomichi.”
Although this book was written while traveling throughout Japan, the journey actually ended in Ogaki .
In this sense, it is the “land of the Oku no Hosomichi.”
At this facility, you can look back on Matsuo Basho’s life and works as well as his journey.
On the wall, texts about Oku-no-Hosomichi are posted with explanations. If you read it carefully, it will probably take you about an hour.
Known homages and quotations from other literary works are explained, and the book is surprisingly deep.
I wonder if it’s like using a lewd dream dictionary in an RTA video. . .
There are also several dioramas installed.
This is a model of a narrow and difficult place along the Sea of Japan where parents and children cannot pass each other. It is interesting to read the phrases written in the explanatory text along with this model .
This is Bashoan, the starting point for the journey.
It’s that one from “Kusa no Tomo also moved to Haruyozo Hina’s House”.
“Hmm… I can imagine that you lived in a place like this. I guess you’ve been keeping carp since around this time.”
There was also an explanation about the tools.
About the surrounding area
Ogaki is an urbanized area, but along the water gate side there is a beautiful scenery.
There is something like a river version of a lighthouse/signal called “Sumiyoshi Lighthouse”,
There was a small shrine.
There was also a place where you could tie clam-shaped matchmaking charms, likening it to Basho’s “Autumn parting in the clam’s lid.”
The memorial hall side was closed, but you can go down to the riverbank from the side of the shrine.
There seems to be an exhibition along this river that has a series of poems written in “Oku no Hosomichi.”
Recommendation level: 5 stars if you are interested in Oku no Hosomichi and history. If not, 1.5 stars. 2.5 stars including surrounding environment
I thought I was interested in history, but I still lack knowledge and education.
I really liked this place as a place to cultivate cultural knowledge.
However, the main facility is a diorama that is a little interesting, but there are no highlights that can be seen at a glance.
For most people, even if Ogaki Castle is included after this, the feeling of incomplete combustion will only get stronger.
It is unclear how effective the anime signboards placed at the entrance will be in attracting customers.
It will be interesting for people who are the type of people who can accumulate discoveries and understandings on their own.
“I see, Matsuo Basho was moved by the scenery of Matsushima,” or “Did Matsuo Basho also compose haiku in a place he had been to?” It’s called “Takuro”.
Ogaki Castle
When you think of a castle, you might imagine something magnificent, but in reality it’s as small as a three-story apartment building.
Please don’t expect too much. Admission is cheap at 200 yen for a set including the local museum , but it also means that there is only that much added value.
Basically, there is no free parking lot. Coin parking is available on the north side of Ogaki Castle for about 100 yen for 30 minutes. Excuse me, but it’s not a place where you’ll want to stay that long, so for 500 yen you can go see the castle, including parking.
Admission fee is 200 yen. It is a compact three-story building.
Matchlock guns, bows, armor, and other items are displayed on the first floor.
What was really interesting was being able to touch a matchlock gun and bow and arrow that were recreated based on the real thing.
A matchlock gun that was heavy and had a simple sight that made it difficult to hit the target, and an arrow that was harder than I expected and had to be pulled with all my strength.
I was happy to be able to touch and experience the exhibits for myself, as there are many exhibits where you are not allowed to touch or even photograph. This alone is enough to raise my rating. (I can’t help but say that it has that much charm…)
There is something like a model of a castle town, but the important castle is missing. Or rather, I don’t know if it’s from Ogaki city.
The image below is a model at the local museum. This one is probably the favorite.
This is a depiction of the inside of the castle at that time.
In fact, the interior of the castle was very simple, with almost no decorations.
If anything, appearance was the top priority, and lords almost never climbed there.
The top floor is like a small observation deck, but since it’s not very high, the view is blocked by surrounding buildings and the view isn’t great .
This photo was taken from the east side.
Gifu Castle is said to be in this direction, but I can’t find it.
Recommendation level: 3.5 stars if you like visiting castles. 1.5 stars as a tourist destination
Admission is cheap at 200 yen for a set including the local museum , but the exterior of the castle is not very impressive, the view from the top floor is not great, and the exhibits cannot be called luxurious.
It’s probably not worth coming all the way to.
It’s just a place where locals who live in the surrounding area come to when they’re bored.
A more subtle problem is that the stairs are steep and narrow, and lack barrier-free features.
If you go along with local museums and learning about culture, you will find value.
Ogaki City Local Museum
The Ogaki City Folk Museum allows you to enter for free if you show your admission ticket.
It is located across the road to the west of Ogaki Park. About 3 minutes walk from Ogaki Castle.
There is no signboard with the name of the facility, and at first glance the building looks like a private residence, so it is very difficult to find the entrance.
Enter through the automatic door on the right. A modest but beautiful Japanese garden can be seen from inside the hotel.
When you enter, you will see a model that recreates the area around Ogaki Castle.
Nowadays, the area around Ogaki Castle is nothing more than a park with a castle in it, but back then it seems like there were many layers of moats.
You can see that on the way from Ogaki Castle to here, we walked through what used to be a moat.
There were exhibits related to the Ogaki Festival and items used during the Sengoku period (obon trays, writing implements), etc.
On the second floor, a photo of an embankment called “Rinchu” was displayed, but it was very annoying to be asked if I wanted to pay 200 yen to enter.
Recommendation level: 3.5 stars if you like Ogaki Festival and history. 1.5 stars as an accessory for Ogaki Castle
If you like the Ogaki Festival or are interested in history and culture, I think you should come.
However, there are very few elements that I can recommend to others. Even if children come, they will never have fun.
It’s not bad if a couple in their 50s or 60s who live in the surrounding area come here to explore history with some free time.
Well, most history-related facilities may be like that, unless they have become major tourist destinations. . .
