The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Yoshii Toranaga in Shōgun
For those who have watched the drama Shōgun, the stories of protagonist John Blackthorne and Yoshii Toranaga are truly captivating. The character of Yoshii Toranaga is actually based on a real historical figure: Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616) was one of the most significant military commanders in Japanese history and is known as the founder of the Edo Shogunate. He survived the turmoil of the Sengoku period and established a long-lasting ...
Did You Know About the Connection Between Sensō-ji and the Tokugawa Shogunate? When people think of Asakusa, the first images that come to mind are usually the iconic Kaminarimon Gate or the bustling Nakamise Street. But in reality, Sensō-ji Temple ...
Himeji Castle – Discover Japan’s Finest Surviving Feudal Fortress Step into a living masterpiece of feudal architecture and discover the pristine legacy of Japan’s samurai age in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture. Himeji Castle, crowned by its elegant white Main ...
Osaka Castle – Explore the Castle Grounds in the Heart of Osaka Step into the historic seat of samurai ambition and discover a dynamic retreat at the heart of Osaka. Osaka Castle Park surrounds the iconic reconstructed Main Tower of ...
Fujimi Yagura Tenshu dai 🏯 Edo Castle: Tracing the Legacy of Tokugawa in the Heart of Tokyo ✨ Introduction Once the center of power for the Tokugawa shogunate, Edo Castle stood at the heart of what is now modern-day Tokyo—a ...
Walking Through Nagoya Castle — Timeless Stone Walls and the Architectural Grandeur of the Tokugawa Era The legacy of Nagoya Castle traces back to the turbulent Sengoku period. Originally, a fortress named Nagono Castle stood on this site, built in ...
Ueno Area Ueno Toshogu Shrine Ueno Toshogu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ueno Onshi Park, Taito City, Tokyo. It enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Originally built in 1627, the shrine's current structure was reconstructed ...
Discover the History of Nikko: A Walking Tour Embark on a special self-guided walking tour through the historic city of Nikko, tracing the footsteps of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This tour takes you through significant sites associated with the founder of the ...
A Day Begins in the Tranquility of Ueno The sun was already beating down relentlessly on Ueno Park early in the morning. At 10:30 a.m., I arrived at the meeting point for the much-anticipated Kan'ei-ji Terakoya Experience & Tokugawa Shogunate ...
A midsummer journey through Hamamatsu, retracing the footsteps of Tokugawa Ieyasu.From Hamamatsu Castle to Gosha Shrine, Suwa Shrine, and the grave of Tsukiyama Gozen, I spent an entire day walking among sites that still echo the Sengoku era. Beneath the ...
One early spring day, when the first signs of the season’s change began to appear, I took part in the special public opening of the Inui Street at the Imperial Palace. To be ready for the 9:00 a.m. gate opening, ...
As of March 2025, the Imperial Palace, which stands on the historic site of Edo Castle, offers a free general visit with a limited number of participants. This diary entry details my experience of joining the tour. For more information, ...
