Nagoya Castle

What to know

Nagoya Castle (名古屋城, Nagoyajō) was built at the start of the Edo Period (1603–1868) as the seat of the Owari branch, one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family. It ranked among Japan's largest castles, and the surrounding castle town grew into the country's fourth-largest city.

Most of the castle buildings, including the keep and palace, were destroyed in the 1945 air raids. The current ferro-concrete reconstruction of the keep dates from 1959 and housed a museum on the castle's history until its closure in May 2018. The castle park features two moat circuits and impressive walls with corner turrets. It becomes a popular hanami spot during cherry blossom season, which usually peaks in late March or early April.

The castle's palace (Honmaru Goten) was recently rebuilt and fully opened to the public in June 2018. Reconstructed using traditional materials and techniques half a century after its wartime destruction, the palace includes entrance and reception halls, as well as rooms reserved for the visiting shogun, adorned with beautiful replicated paintings on sliding doors (fusuma). It is considered one of the finest examples of Shoin architecture in Japan.

In another ambitious project, the city plans to rebuild Nagoya Castle's main keep in wood. The current ferro-concrete keep was closed to the public in May 2018 due to earthquake resistance concerns. Originally scheduled for demolition in 2024 with a new wooden keep completed by 2028, the project has been delayed and is not expected to finish before 2032.

From Nagoya Station, take the Sakuradori Subway Line to Hisayaodori Station (5 minutes), then transfer to the Meijo Subway Line to Nagoyajo Station (2 minutes). The total one-way journey takes about ten minutes and costs 240 yen. From the nearest exit, it's a three-minute walk to the castle's east gate.

Alternatively, the castle's main gate can be reached from Nagoya Station via the Meguru tourist loop bus in about 25 minutes. The fare is 210 yen per ride or 500 yen for a day pass.