The "Battle of Sekigahara" is known as the battle that decided who would rule the country. Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum" opened in Sekigahara-cho, Fuwa-gun, Gifu Prefecture, the site of the decisive battle, on October 21, 2020.

The "Ground Vision" is a huge floor screen that provides a bird's-eye view of the East and West camps. The theater recreates the clash between the two armies with powerful images that make you feel as if you have wandered into a historical scene. The facility allows visitors to experience the Battle of Sekigahara through all five senses, including exhibits of valuable documents related to the battle and photo opportunities to put on a battle haori and pretend to be a warrior of the Sengoku (warring states) period.

What is the Battle of Sekigahara?

First, let's briefly review the Battle of Sekigahara.

The Battle of Sekigahara was fought in 1600, during the late Sengoku period, between the "Eastern Army" led by Ieyasu Tokugawa and the "Western Army" led by Mitsunari Ishida. The Western Army, led by Mitsunari Ishida, had a total of 83,000, while the Eastern Army, led by Ieyasu Tokugawa had a total of 70,000 in Sekigahara.

Although it was the largest battle in Japan, it is said that the winner was decided in about six hours. However, there was a lot of drama involved, including political maneuvering, betrayal, and friendships. At Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, you can follow its history from various angles in an easy-to-understand manner.

Access & entrance fee

To access Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, take a 10-minute walk from Sekigahara Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line. It is located about an hour by car from Nagoya. It's just the right distance for going out.

<Entrance fee>
General: 500 yen
High school and university students: 300 yen
Junior high school students and younger: Free
* Groups (20 people or more): Adults 400 yen, high school and university students 240 yen, junior high school students and younger free.
Annual passport: 1,200 yen for adults, 800 yen for high school and college students

As a measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the floor has restrictions on the number of visitors and the entry method. Advance reservations are required to enter the exhibition room (paid area).

▼ Click here for advance reservations
https://sekigahara.pref.gifu.lg.jp/attention/

"Ground Vision" to understand the flow of the Battle of Sekigahara

After passing through the entrance hall, an introduction corridor will appear. Silhouette images of warlords are projected on the walls. It is said that it represents the end of the war-torn world.

The first corner after entering the building is "Ground Vision" on the first floor. A floor screen is installed to clearly convey the flow and scale of the Battle of Sekigahara. A chronological table and map are displayed on the screen, and you can overlook the flow of the east and west camps.

Even before it starts, my heart is pounding!

The video was about 10 minutes long, but I was completely immersed in the world of it. I was able to learn the whole picture of the Battle of Sekigahara.

Powerful theater

After grasping the flow of the battle of Sekigahara on the screen, it's time to move to the theater. The oval screen measuring 4.5m in length and 13m in width is overwhelming. It is full of realistic sensations as if your entire body is enveloped by the images.
​

On the screen, even the wind that the soldiers run through and the vibrations of the feet when the large army walks are reproduced. The effects of wind, vibration, light and sound will make you feel like you are on the battlefield.

I was moved by the friendship, political tactics, and betrayal of warlords who risked their lives to fight. The spotlight on each military commander is unique to a facility that specializes in the Battle of Sekigahara.

In the hall that continues from the theater, videos explain the warlords after the battle and the changes in Japan. Editorial Team staff seemed to have become fans of Yoshitsugu Otani! Finding your favorite military commander is also one of the ways to enjoy it.

Exhibition Room & Sengoku Experience Corner

Next, let's go to the Exhibition Room & Sengoku Experience Corner on the second floor. The exhibition room displays historical materials that lead visitors to a broader and deeper understanding of the virtual experience on the first floor. Through portraits, weapons, arms, and old documents, visitors can learn in depth about the history of the battles and the movements immediately prior to the battles.

The "Sekigahara battle screen" that conveys the situation at that time. It is a bird's-eye view of the battle from above, and the details of the battle, such as people, armor, and the placement of troops, are carefully drawn.

In addition to the Battle of Sekigahara, there are exhibits on the theme of the world's three major battlefields.

At Sengoku Experience Corner, visitors can actually hold replica swords and firearms to feel their weight, and there is a photo booth where they can enjoy the experience of becoming a samurai.

First of all, I challenged the Sekigahara quiz battle! I was not confident, so I tried the beginner's level.

Even the beginner's level was not easy! I would like to come up with a plan to win and try again.

I tried holding a large barrel to shoot.

I am surprised that it is heavier than I expected! I can't believe that people were fighting on the battlefield with this. 

The matchlock gun was light, so this seems to work (laughs)

"Saihai" is the item that a general carries when he takes command of an army. It is said that he was giving instructions by waving this. One of the charms of this hands-on corner is that you can get to know tools that you normally don't have the chance to see.

The centerpiece of the experience corner is the photo booth where you can become a military commander.

After choosing the background of the photo, the shooting starts. You can transfer the captured data to your smartphone.

Here is the completed data.

Take your favorite pose and try to become a military commander.

Let's overlook the town of Sekigahara!

Finally, go to the observation room on the 5th floor, where you can see the current Sekigahara from the 360-degree glass observation room. When you actually look at it, you can feel that the battle was taking place at a fairly close distance.

Please take a look at the traces of the battle scattered in all directions, including Mt. Sasao, where Mitsunari Ishida encamped, Mt. Nangu, Hidemoto Mori's camp, and Mt. Matsuo, the site of Hideaki Kobayakawa's camp, which advanced the war situation.