The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 is one of the most significant events in Japanese history, yet the sleepy town in Gifu Prefecture where the battle took place is almost completely off the tourist trail for domestic and international sightseers. Guidebooks hardly mention it, with the surrounding areas often entirely overlooked.

"Even the Japanese think there's nothing there, but that's the point — most of Japan’s major battle sites have been built over or have roads running through them. Sekigahara has remained pretty much the same for 420 years," says Chris Glenn, author of the new book, “The Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever.”

The Battle of Sekigahara, by Chris Glenn216 pagesFRONTLINE BOOKS