Nagoya Castle, sometimes called Aichi Castle, is one of the great historical sites in Aichi Prefecture. Built in the 17th century on the orders of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, it combines an iconic keep, the faithfully reconstructed Honmaru Palace, lordly gardens and several tea houses linked to the Owari Tokugawa clan.

Why visit Nagoya Castle

The site brings together multiple attractions within a single enclosure. The Honmaru Palace, restored using traditional techniques, showcases the residential architecture of lords at the height of their refinement. The gardens, including that of the Ninomaru Palace, rank among the most expansive ever created around a daimyo's residence. The thousand-year-old Kaya tree, the golden kinshachi on the roof and the paintings of the Kanō school anchor the visit in a rich history, where Oda Nobunaga and the Tokugawa dynasty intertwine.

Note: the main keep is currently closed to the public as part of a wooden reconstruction project (see below). The gardens, ramparts and Honmaru Palace remain accessible.

History of the castle

Origins to the 16th century

The site's origins date between 1521 and 1528, when daimyo Imagawa Ujichika had a fortress built for his son called Yanagi-no-maru. In 1532, Oda Nobuhide seized it and renamed it Nagoya Castle. His son, Oda Nobunaga, the future unifier of Japan, is said to have been born there in 1534. After the clan moved to Kiyosu Castle in 1555, the site was gradually abandoned around 1582.

Reconstruction by the Tokugawa

In 1609, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the castle's reconstruction to secure control of the Tōkaidō route. The design was entrusted to architect Nakai Masakiyo. The main keep was completed in 1612, followed by the Honmaru Palace in 1615. The Kanō school participated in the painted decoration of the halls, which would become one of the most accomplished pictorial ensembles of the Edo period.

From the Meiji era to today

After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle became an imperial residence in 1893. It first suffered damage from the 1891 Mino-Owari earthquake, then the destruction of the main keep and several buildings during the 1945 bombing raids. The structures that survived were designated national treasures. A wooden reconstruction of the keep, conducted using original techniques, is underway, with completion expected around 2028.

What to see on the site

The keep and kinshachi

Recognizable by its white walls and patina-green copper roof, the keep is crowned with two golden kinshachi. These mythical creatures with tiger heads and fish bodies symbolize the feudal lord's authority and are believed to protect the building against fire. During the construction work, the keep is not accessible, but remains visible from within the enclosure.

The Honmaru Palace

Reconstructed in the Shoin-zukuri style, the Honmaru Palace once housed visiting shoguns and dignitaries of the Owari clan. Among the rooms open to the public are the Jorakuden, which accommodated the shoguns, and the Omote Shoin, the main audience hall. The interiors of hinoki cypress wood, sliding doors and wall paintings recreate the atmosphere of an early 17th-century seat of power.

Gardens and the Kaya tree

The Ninomaru Palace garden was, at the time of its creation, the largest garden adjoining a lord's residence. It combines ponds, pavilions and seasonal plantings. Nearby stands a Kaya tree over 600 years old: legend has it that the first lord of Nagoya ate its nuts before departing for battle.

Tea houses and dining

Several tea houses, once used by the Owari Tokugawa clan for ceremonies and the transmission of this art, are located at the rear of the castle. They open periodically during special events. For dining, the Kishimen restaurant within the enclosure serves the flat udon noodles typical of Nagoya. Stalls also offer local snacks: Mitarashi Dango, Goheimochi and matcha ice cream.

When to visit

Three periods structure the year:

• Late March-early April: cherry blossom festival, with nighttime illuminations of blooming cherry trees around the castle.
• Summer: summer festival, featuring food stalls, traditional dances and evening light shows.
• Autumn: Nagoya Festival, which includes a grand parade of historical figures (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu) crossing the city center.

New Year also sees local crowds due to Shinto customs.

Practical information

• Duration: allow 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the enclosure, Honmaru Palace and gardens.
• Admission: reasonably priced entry (check the current rate on the official website before visiting).
• Hours: open during daytime year-round, last admission approximately 30 minutes before closing.
• Accessibility: the Honmaru Palace and main paths are navigable; some enclosure stairs remain steep.

How to get there

From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama subway line to Sakae Station, then the Meijo line to Shiyakusho Station. The castle is approximately 5 minutes' walk from this station. The total journey takes around twenty minutes.

What to see nearby

The castle combines easily with other city sites during a day in Nagoya. To extend the theme of symbolic heights and urban panoramas in Japan, consider climbing Mount Inasa in Nagasaki or, in the spiritual register, Mount Kōya and Mount Hiei.

FAQ

Prepare your visit

Nagoya Castle fits naturally into an itinerary between Tokyo, Kyoto and the Kii Peninsula. To plan a journey combining historical sites, spirituality and contemporary cities, consult our circuit ideas for Japan.