2023 Fall Foliage Akechi Mitsuhide History Tour

2023 Fall Foliage

Akechi Mitsuhide History Tour

• 10 Nights / 12 Days
• 23 Meals (10 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners)
• Escorted from Honolulu
• English-Speaking Local Guide

TOUR DATE

November 06 – 17, 2023

Akechi Mitsuhide, nicknamed the Jusan Kubo, or “Thirteen Day Ruler,” is best remembered as the traitor responsible for the death of his master, Oda Nobunaga, at Honnoji Temple. Mitsuhide was born in Kani, Mino Province (Gifu Prefecture). He came into the service of Oda Nobunaga following Nobunaga’s conquest of Mino in 1566. Nobunaga rarely placed much trust in his followers, however Mitsuhide in particular was a close advisor, and much trusted by Nobunaga. Despite his advances and loyal service, Nobunaga appears to have treated the man severely, reprimanding and publicly humiliating the samurai in front of his peers, and even foreign travelers of the day who recorded such insults in their journals. This mistreatment has been theorized as one of the reasons for his treachery. Another theory gaining attention is regarding Nobunaga’s growing power. It appears he was considering overthrowing the imperial court on his quest for ultimate power. Privy to the plan, and to save the Emperor, Mitsuhide turned.

Either way, his chance came five years later on June 21, 1582, Mitsuhide directed his 13,000 samurai to Honnoji Temple in Kyoto, where Nobunaga was billeted with just a handful of bodyguards. Mitsuhide’s troops surrounded the Honnoji, and in the melee, Nobunaga was wounded. The Great General retired into the burning temple where he is believed to have committed seppuku amongst the flames. Although Mitsuhide did not personally kill Nobunaga, he claimed responsibility. The betrayal shocked the nation. Mitsuhide then claimed the title of Shogun based on his ancestry. Mitsuhide had expected little adversary to his coup. Four days later the traitor’s army was routed. While escaping from the ruinous Battle of Yamazaki, Mitsuhide was killed by a group of peasants wielding bamboo staves. He was 54 years old, and had been self-proclaimed Shogun for all of thirteen days.

VISIT:

Osaka • Nagoya • Gifu • Fukui • Shiga • Kyoto • Kameoka • Arashiyama

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Shinkansen Bullet Train Ride • Okehazama Battle Field Park Kani City Kanko Koryukan • Kinkazan Ropeway • Gifu Castle • Stroll Along Nagara Riverside Kawaramachi Street • Gifu Seiryu Satoyama Park • Mino Washi Museum • Ichijo Asakura Clan Museum Ichijo Asakura Clan Ruins • Tojinbo • Biwako Valley • Biwako Terrace • Azuchi Castle Museum Azuchi Archeological Museum • Yakata-Bune • La Collina Omihachiman • Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple Saikyoji Temple • Michi-no-Eki • Hiyoshi Taisha • Autumn Leaves Festival • Sakamoto Castle Ruins Toei Kyoto Studio Park • Honnoji Temple • Mitsuhide’s Burial Mound • Myokakuji Temple Noh Art Experience • Fukuchiyama Castle • Hozu River Downstream Cruise • Arashiyama Shopping Osaka Castle Park • Catholic Tamatsukuri Church • Kuromon Ichiba Market • Dotonbori Shopping Shinsaibashi Shopping • AEON Mall

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES:

Washi Paper Making • Play Games with a Geiko Echizen Soba Noodle Making