Statue of Omura Masujiro, Tokyo

Statue of Omura Masujiro, Tokyo

Ōmura Masujirō (1824 - 1869) was a prominent figure in Japan during the Bakumatsu period. He held significant influence in the realm of military leadership and strategic thinking. Often referred to as the "Father of the Modern Japanese Army," Ōmura dedicated substantial effort to the establishment of the Yasukuni Shrine.

Following his demise, a bronze statue was erected in his honor by Okuma Ujihiro. This statue found its place at the grand entrance of the Yasukuni Shrine, a place of great importance in Japan. The shrine was constructed to commemorate Japanese individuals who had lost their lives in battles, making it one of the most frequently visited and esteemed shrines in the country. Notably, Ōmura's statue was a pioneering example of Western-style sculpture in Japan.

Ōmura's concepts for modernizing Japan's military were posthumously implemented by his devoted followers, including Yamagata Aritomo, Kido Takayoshi, and Yamada Akiyoshi. Among them, Yamada Akiyoshi played a pivotal role in putting Ōmura's ideas into action. He achieved this by establishing new military academies that taught Ōmura's principles. Furthermore, Yamagata Aritomo and Saigo Tsugumichi were also influenced by Ōmura's ideas when they introduced legislation in 1873 that mandated universal military conscription.

Ōmura's vision included a desire for the French military mission to return in 1872 to assist in the training and equipping of Japan's new army, a vision that came to fruition. Although Ōmura did not live to witness the full realization of many of his innovative concepts, the enduring impact he had on his followers paved the way for his policies and ideas to significantly influence the development of the Meiji military in the years that followed.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Statue of Omura Masujiro on Map

Sight Name: Statue of Omura Masujiro
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan

Create Your Own Walk in Tokyo

Create Your Own Walk in Tokyo

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tokyo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tokyo Imperial Palace Walking Tour

Tokyo Imperial Palace Walking Tour

The Imperial Palace, the residence of the Japanese Emperor, is a vast expanse of green in the heart of Tokyo, surrounded by moats. The palace stands on the site previously occupied by the Edo Castle, in the 17th–19th centuries. While the royal residential compound is closed for visitors (except for two days a year – January 1st and December 23rd), a big part of the palace grounds, including...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Shibuya Walking Tour

Shibuya Walking Tour

The Shibuya district is a shopping and entertainment mecca for fashion-conscious and trendy teenagers. Synonymous with Japan's youth vogue and fun in general, the streets of Shibuya are lined with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs. On weekends, crowds of youngsters converge here, dressed up in a myriad of colors and styles, set out to socialize and have a good time.

One of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Yanaka Walking Tour

Yanaka Walking Tour

A bit away from Downtown Tokyo, Yanaka is a hidden spot with a lot to offer. This neighborhood is known for its narrow alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, and old-style shops. Having largely escaped the damage of World War II, Yanaka exudes the last-century charm of Tokyo's old town ambiance.

With a high concentration of ancient places of worship in the district, the air here...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Ginza Shopping Tour

Ginza Shopping Tour

Often compared with New York's Fifth Avenue, Ginza is the most luxurious shopping district in Tokyo. Its two main avenues running through the area, Chuo-dori Street and Harumi-dori Street, are lined with high-end boutiques, enormous department stores, and flagship stores of renowned international brands carrying a wealth of merchandise, from fashion and jewelry to electronics and cosmetics.
...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Ueno Park Walking Tour

Ueno Park Walking Tour

Ueno Park, found next to the Ueno subway station in Tokyo, is a sprawling urban oasis. Home to more than 1,000 cherry trees, each year during the cherry blossom season (between late March and early April) it becomes a site of pilgrimage equally popular with locals and tourists.

One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the Saigo Takamori Statue, which pays tribute to the legendary...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Shinjuku Walking Tour

Shinjuku Walking Tour

Known as the best entertainment district in Tokyo, Shinjuku abounds in venues where visitors can play, eat, and shop to their hearts' content all day long. Besides the endless list of fun, shopping, and dining options available, the district also offers some truly amazing sightseeing opportunities which are often underrated.

One of its iconic landmarks is the two towers of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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