Oka Castle Ruins

OITA CULTURE

The castle wall stands on a plateau of altitude 325m. Oka Castle has been renowned as an impregnable castle throughout the Sengoku and Edo eras. It covers a surface area of 1 million m2. The ruins of the castle that remain today are made of the main enclosures including Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, and Nishinomaru. The shape of the castle resembles a sleeping cow, so it is also known as Gagyujo ("Castle of the Sleeping Cow"). One can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kuju mountain ranges from Honmaru, and of Mt. Aso and the castle town from the castle gate. Many cherry trees can be found on the premises of the castle, and it has been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots."