Ōgaki Castle

Ōgaki Castle is a flatlands-style Japanese fortress located in the city of Ōgaki within Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Originally established as a fortification by the local Miyagawa clan and later expanded in 1535, the site holds significant strategic value due to its position near the Ibi River and its control over the Sekigahara Pass, the primary overland route connecting Mino Province to Kyoto. The castle features a compact central area surrounded by multiple layers of water moats connected to the river, creating a formidable defensive perimeter despite its relatively small keep. Throughout its history, it has been known by alternative names such as Bi Castle and Kyoroku Castle.

The structure played a pivotal role during the turbulent Sengoku period, serving as a stronghold for several trusted generals of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, including Ikeda Tsuneoki and Itō Morikage. Its historical significance peaked during the lead-up to the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, when Ishida Mitsunari utilized the castle as a frontline defense against Tokugawa Ieyasu's advancing forces. Although the original buildings were demolished in 1871 following the Meiji Restoration, the site remained an important administrative center for the Toda clan during the Edo period. Today, the castle exists as a reconstruction, preserving the legacy of the various samurai clans that once governed the region from this critical military installation.