Nagoya Castle [名古屋 城 ] is a historic landmark located in Nagoya city, Japan.
It was constructed in the beginning of the Edo Period as the seat of one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family, the Owari branch.
As such, it was one of the largest castles in the country, and the castle town around it ultimately grew to become Japan’s fourth largest city.
The castle has a long and rich history, having survived numerous wars, natural disasters, and even a fire bombing during World War II.
Nagoya Castle is now a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Nagoya’s rich history and culture.
Visitors can tour the castle’s main keep and explore its many exhibits, including displays of samurai armor and weaponry.
They can explore the castle grounds, which include several buildings, gardens, and museums.
The castle’s main keep, which stands at six stories tall, offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
The castle is also known for its cherry blossom festival, which takes place in early April and attracts large crowds of locals and tourists alike.
In this article I’ll tell you all about Nagoya castle [名古屋 城].
So that if you ever decide to come to Nagoya, you’ll have more information as to whether you want to visit Nagoya castle or not.
And I even visited Nagoya castle to record a video walk around the castle grounds and park for this post.
Let’s dive in.
Nagoya castle’s history – A Bit of Detail
As mentioned above, Nagoya Castle is a historic castle located in Nagoya city, in Aichi prefecture in Japan.
It was built in 1612 by the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, as a residence for his son-in-law, the ruling lord of the Owari Province, Tokugawa Yoshinao.
The castle was built on the site of a former residence of the Imagawa clan, a powerful clan that ruled the area before the Tokugawa clan.
Construction
The construction of Nagoya Castle took three years to complete and was carried out by over 20,000 workers.
The castle was built using traditional Japanese construction techniques and is considered one of the finest examples of castle architecture in Japan.
The castle’s main keep, or donjon, is six stories tall and features two golden shachihoko, a kind of sea monster, on its roof.
Renovations
Over the years, Nagoya Castle underwent several renovations and expansions.
In 1620, the castle gained a second donjon, and builders added a third donjon in 1659.
In 1867, renovations modernized the castle’s defenses and prepared it for the Meiji Restoration, deepening its moats and strengthening its walls.
Destruction and Reconstruction
Regrettably, the bombing of Nagoya during World War II devastated Nagoya Castle.
The castle’s wooden structures, such as its main keep and several gates, suffered complete destruction.
Much of the castle burned to the ground.
However, the stone castle walls and foundations of the castle remained intact, and in 1959, the castle was rebuilt using modern materials and techniques.
The reconstruction of Nagoya Castle took eight years to complete and cost over 3 billion yen.
Nagoya Castle’s Significance
Nagoya Castle is a historic and cultural landmark in Japan, with significant importance in the areas of culture, tourism, and education.
Cultural Importance
Nagoya Castle has been an important symbol of the city of Nagoya for centuries.
Today, Nagoya Castle is recognized as an important cultural asset by the Japanese government, and is visited by thousands of tourists each year who come to learn about the history and culture of Japan.
Tourism
Nagoya Castle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The castle’s beautiful architecture, stunning gardens, and rich history make it a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Nagoya.
Visitors can explore the castle’s many exhibits, including displays of samurai armor and weapons, traditional Japanese art, and historical artifacts.
They can also take a guided tour of the castle grounds, which includes a visit to the castle’s main keep and the Hommaru Palace.
The castle also hosts a number of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including the annual cherry blossom festival in early April, which draws large crowds of locals and tourists alike.
Explore the Sights of Nagoya Castle
The best way to explore Nagoya Castle is by taking a leisurely stroll around the whole complex with its many buildings and sights.
The castle has several gates and towers, each with its unique design and history.
Apart from the main gate, other important gates are the Second Front Gate along with the Ni-no-maru second east gate.
The Hommaru Palace
One of the highlights of Nagoya Castle is the Hommaru Palace.
This is also sometimes spelt as Honmaru palace.
It is the largest building in the castle complex and was once the residence of the lord of the castle.
The palace has been restored to its former glory and features beautiful gold leaf decorations, sliding doors, and paintings on the walls.
The crowning achievement of castle palace design
In 1615, the Hommaru Palace at Nagoya Castle was completed, serving as the administrative offices and home of the first feudal lord of Owari.
The palace’s interior boasted stunning wall and screen paintings, as well as beautiful decorative metal fittings.
These features earned it a high reputation for exceptional art and skilled craftsmanship.
Consequently, it became known as the best castle palace built during the Edo period (1603–1867).
The palace and tower keeps were the first parts of the castle to receive the distinction of National Treasures.
As mentioned earlier, wartime air raids in 1945 destroyed the palace and much of Nagoya Castle.
However, in 2018, restorers used plans from the Edo period and other historical records to reconstruct the palace, making it look just like it did when first built.
Historical materials
Despite the destruction of most of Nagoya Castle’s important buildings during World War II, the availability of a large number of historical records has enabled the accurate reconstruction of the palace.
There are still around 2,000 foundation stones from before the war.
The stone wall remains are impressive up close
There are also about 1,047 sliding doors/screens, and some panels from the Edo period (1603–1867) that are considered important cultural assets.
The castle grounds, castle walls and the gardens
Another must-see attraction is the castle’s beautiful gardens.
The gardens are located around the castle and are known for their cherry blossoms, which bloom in the spring.
Visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk through the gardens and take in the beautiful scenery.
If you get tired, then there are several tea houses and food stalls
The castle also houses a museum that displays a collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the castle’s history and the Tokugawa family.
Just remember if you want to go inside the castle then a lot of the information is in Japanese history.
Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a beautiful place to visit, Nagoya Castle is sure to impress.
Visit Nagoya Castle: Getting There
Nagoya Castle is located in the heart of Nagoya city and is easily accessible by public transportation.
By Train
From Nagoya Station, visitors can take the Higashiyama Subway Line towards Sakae Station and transfer to the Meijo Subway Line to Nagoyajo Station. [Formerly Shiyakusho station].
The Meijo line is the purple one.
The total one-way journey takes about 10 minutes and costs 240 yen.
Alternatively, visitors can take a leisurely 25-minute walk from Nagoya Station to Nagoya Castle.
However, taking the subway is the quickest and most convenient option.
If you plan to visit from Osaka or Tokyo, then you should use the Shinkansen to get to Nagoya.
By Bus
One option is to get off at “Nagoyajo Seimon-Mae”.
You can get this bus in Sakae; No. 13.
Or, potentially you can take a Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus called “Meguru”.
To visit Nagoya castle you’ll need to get off at the “Shiyakusho” stop of the Key Route Bus No. 2.
One-way bus trips from Tokyo to Nagoya take approximately five to six hours.
Pricing and hours
The castle is open from 9:00 AM with last admission at 4:30 PM, and admission fees are 500 yen for adults and 100 yen for adults over 65 years old.
Children under 12 years old can enter for free.
I Visited Nagoya castle
In the below video I took a walk around the castle grounds.
I visited Nagoya castle main entrance, paid the entry fee and walked around getting a feel for Nagoya’s history.
I did not go into Hommaru palace this time though as there was a little bit of reconstruction work going on.
Nagoya Castle Walk Video
You can see the castle keep, tea houses, castle walls, corner turrets and still a few cherry blossom trees.
I may do a new walk around the castle keep in Autumn when the maple leaves are out.
Before You Go
Nagoya Castle [名古屋 城] is a historical landmark that has stood the test of time.
Despite being destroyed during the second world war, it has been rebuilt and restored.
This allows visitors to experience the beauty and grandeur of the castle as it was in the past.
The castle is a reminder of the significance of Nagoya city throughout Japanese history.
Visitors to Nagoya Castle can explore the castle’s many features, including the impressive stone walls and moats, the beautiful gardens, and the various buildings that make up the castle complex.
Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Nagoya Castle to learn more about Japanese history and culture.
Whether you are a history buff or simply looking for a unique and memorable experience, Nagoya Castle and a walk around the castle grounds is definitely worth it.
Make sure to visit Nagoya castle [名古屋 城] on your next trip to Japan.
