Okayama Castle
The Cormorant Castle
Recognised as one of the Great Castles of the Edo Period, Okayama Castle is also known as U-jo Cormorant Castle, as it’s black lacquered outer wooden wall paneling resembles a black cormorant sitting, watching over the Asahi River. Prior to the Battle of Sekigahara, the castle was also known as Kin U-Jo, or Golden U-Jo, as the shachihoko tiger-fish rooftop ornaments and all the roof tiles were covered in gold. That must have been a spectacular sight!
