In addition to its defensive site, the location was also of strategic value in control of the Sekigahara Pass, which was the main overland route connecting Mino with Ōmi Province and Kyoto.

However, Gifu Castle, which was held by Oda Nobunaga's grandson Oda Hidenobu, fell to Ieyasu's vanguard after only one day; Ieyasu chose to quickly move through Mino Province, although a large portion of his army (led by Tokugawa Hidetada) had not yet arrived.

At Ōgaki, Itō Morimasa was daimyō of a 30,000 koku domain and a staunch supporter of Ishida Mitsunari, but was an inept commander.

Due to the historical importance of the castle, including its role in the Battle of Sekigahara, the tenshu and yagura were designated a National Treasure in 1936.

After World War II, the tenshu and two of the yagura were reconstructed based on old drawings and photographs in 1959,[2] albeit in modern reinforced concrete.