Timeline
16:04
Grab a warm drink or light snack at Coco Cafe. It is just a short walk from the signaling hill, giving you time to settle in before heading up the slope. The cafe is open until 18:00, so you have plenty of time before the sun dips below the horizon.
16:34
Walk 34 minutes from the anchor area up to Okayama Signaling Hill. This was the vantage point where the Western Alliance fired the flare that summoned Tokugawa’s reinforcements. Stand at the edge of the hill and look west. The sun sets toward the WSW, casting a long shadow over the battlefield where Ōtani Yoshitsugu made his final stand.
17:19
Head down to Ōtani Yoshitsugu's Grave. This memorial marks the encampment and final burial site of the Western Alliance commander. In the fading light, the quiet atmosphere of the grave offers a stark contrast to the chaos of the signal flare you just watched. It is a place to reflect on the end of an era.
Local tip
The walk between the cafe and the hill is steep. Wear sturdy shoes. The cafe is open daily until 18:00, but check if it is a Monday, as it is closed Mo. The sunset is visible from the hill toward the WSW.
Check before you go
- Coco Cafe is closed on Mondays. If you are visiting on a Monday, try Fusen (Tu-Su 08:00-17:00) or Ibukian (Tu-Fr 09:30-17:00) instead.
Worth knowing
- Coco Cafe is open at 16:04 only on Mo, Th, Fr, Sa, Su
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Sekigahara (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).