Okayama - Castle plains and mountain type in Okayama Prefecture. The castle is also known by two names: U-jo (Castle of the Raven), which was given for the black color of the walls, and the Kinu-jo (Castle of the Golden Crow) due to the gilded decorations, in particular, gold shachihoko - fictional inhabitants of the sea in the form of fish with a dragon's head on the land can turn into a tiger.

It is believed that these animals, which are a symbol of water, protect their buildings decorated with fire. In addition, shachihoko indicated high social status of the owner of the castle. In Japan, during the construction of locks black was used very rarely - for example, in the construction of Matsumoto Castle, also known as Karasu-jo.

The castle was built in the years 1346-1369 representatives of the aristocratic family Nava, he subsequently moved from one clan to another, until the second half of the XIX century been administered clans kanamitsa, Ukita, Kobayakawa, Ikeda. At the end of the XVI century feudal castle rebuilt Ukita, but they lost in the 1600 Battle of Sekigahara, and the castle became a trophy Hideaki Kobayakawa. Since 1869, the castle became the property of the state.

At the end of the Second World War the castle was destroyed in the Okayama attacks from the air and was restored in the 60s. Original castle complex remained only two towers.

The main tower of the castle was built in the style of Azuchi, it is surrounded by many fortifications - only Yagura towers from which to view and exposed to fire the entire territory of the castle, where there were 34. At the castle you can enter through 21 gates.

Currently, the castle is a museum of samurai heritage, which presents the weapons and armor of the samurai and other exhibits. Since 1987, Okayama Castle has the status of a national historic site. Near the castle is one of the three most beautiful parks in Japan - Kōraku-en, a sample of Japanese landscape art with three hundred years of history.