Sekigahara Warland will turn you into a photographer!?

Sekigahara Warlands’ long history established in 1964

Just 5 minutes north of the Sekigahara interchange on Route 365 sits Sekigahara Warland. A bit separated from the main highway and large roads, its hard to find until you get to the entrance which boasts a large building modelled after a castle as well as the tour buses in the spacious parking area, you understand that its secretly a popular interactive museum of the battle unique in japan. Sekigahara Warland was built in 1964. Even after 40 long years the visitors never cease.

There are about 200 concrete statues of warriors battling it out on 3sqkm of land. The sculptor who made these warriors was Mr. Asano Shoun who also left many famous concrete figures all around central Japan. Famous for creating the figures at the Momotaro Temple in Inuyama-city, as well as Goshikien in Nissin-city in Aichi prefecture. He has also been featured in tv shows and magazines such as Tamori Club, and Miura Jun. Sekigahara Warland has the most amount of his figures. Many flock here to view the work of a B level legend.

Sekigahara Warland Address: 1701-6 Ikedera, Sekigahara, Fuwa District, Gifu Prefecture Closed: December 31st Business hours: 10:00-16:00 (Jan~Mar) 10:00-15:00 Fee: Adults 500yen, Kids 300yen

Takeda Shingen yelling "No More Sekigahara"..."huh?"

What comes into view when coming into the park is Takeda Shingen. Next to him is a sign that says “No more Sekigahara”. History buffs will say “hold on a minute”, Shingen passed away long before the battle of Sekigahara and wasn’t involved in it. But, at Sekigahara Warland, the opinion is that Iyeyasu fought Mitsunari using the Shingen as an example, remembering his epic loss to Shingen 27 years earlier at the battle of Mikatagahara.

The words “No more Sekigahara” was born from the strong wish for peace that the previous Sekigahara director Mr. Tamaguchi Tamaizumi held dearly. It is said that instead of having the winner of the battle of Sekigahara, Iyeyasu say it, having the stronger Shingens’ ghost say “Stop fighting! No more Sekigahara!” has more impact and evokes a desire for peace more strongly.

Because it’s the ghost of Shingen you will notice that his color isn’t as “lively” as the other statues. Lets go around the park that features these small details and intricacies.

Circling the lineup of the key persons of the Battle of Sekigahara

It’s believed that the battle was decided by Kobayakawa switching sides from the wests Mitsunari and siding with the east’s Iyeyasu. The park shows the lineup in accurate detail, Tokugawas’ Momokubariyama, Mitsunaris’ Sasaoyama, Kobayakawas’ Matsuoyama all recreated in proper orientation. In the park there are walkways that are made in orientation to the Nakayama, and Hokkokukaido roads of the period. While going along the park route you first come upon Kobayakawa Hideaki and his lineup on Matuoyama. It almost makes you think “When did Kobayakawa decide to switch sides?” Next comes Ishida Mitsunari and his lineup on Sasaoyama. Here you also might think “what was going through Mitsunari’s mind as he was viewing his situation worsening in the battle?” Finally we come up to Tokugawa Iyeyasu’s lineup but here we find Iyeyasu trying to determine who the trophy heads of his opponents belonged to.

Indeed it’s many displays are true to history, yet the statues eyes don’t express will even in these desperate situations. This and the sudden appearances of ninja houses makes this park interesting albeit fascinating for people who are into it.

It feels like you are a warring state warlord

The Kobayakawa Hideaki and Ishida Mitsunari lineups have them sitting and waiting for reports from their vassals. When looking at the displays it probably prompts a feeling of wanting to play warlord in many. As long as you don’t climb or touch the statues you can participate and feel like you are a warlord too. There are many statues posed hiding around the park so it’s a great idea to taking pictures from as many angles as possible in each scene to be satisfied.

A key point to enjoying Sekigahara Warland is how much you can be child like. Going with a good friend and acting things out like yelling out “master~” at the scene is suggested. In reality you can walk through the park normally in 30min or so but you can hear laughter and groups taking a few hours often. We’d love it if everyone can find their own enjoyment here.

Have some goat milk Gelato from "Yagi Koubou May!May!" on the way home

After using up your energy walking the park we suggest you get some gelato from “Yagi Koubou May! May!” They provide goats to abandoned farmlands to keep them from being grown over, and you can have some gelato made from those goats milk. Although its goats milk there is no gamey scent and its very smooth on the palate.

The other enjoyable thing is that with each cup of gelato comes a sticker of each prominent family of the battles family crest sticker. When we went we ordered 2 cups and with one came the crest from the easts Kuroda Nagamasa who won large in the battle, while on the other cup the west’s warlord Ukita Hideiye’s crest. The crest that comes with each cup is different each time. It’s undeniably exciting to see which sticker you get after learning of the different families involved in the battle at Sekigahara Warland.

Yagi Koubou may!may! 894-28 Oji Sekigahara, Sekigahara town, Fuwa district, Gifu Prefecture Business hours April - October 10:00-17:00 November - March 10:00-16:30 Closed Mondays and holidays.