Is Nagoya Castle Worth Visiting?

Nagoya is inside the Aichi Prefecture in the Chubu region in Central Japan. With 2.3 million inhabitants in 2020, it’s also Japan’s fourth largest city. Nagoya was founded during the Edo period (1603-1868) under the ruling Tokugawa clan.

Today, Nagoya is an industrial city, and many Japanese companies are here, with the best-known being the Toyota Motor Corporation.

While Nagoya is on the popular Tokaido Shinkansen route between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka, only a handful of tourists end up here for a visit. But I recommend stopping in Nagoya for a day or two, to check out its historic buildings, temples, museums, and amusement parks.

Nagoya’s most amazing landmark is Nagoyajo, also known as Nagoya Castle. Visitors can look at the iconic Main Keep Tower and two special animals, the magnificent Hommaru Palace, Southwest Corner Tower, beautiful gardens, and more! So, in this post, we’ll find out if Nagoya Castle is worth a visit.

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Contents show

1 A Brief History of Nagoya Castle

2 Where is Nagoya Castle & Complex?

3 Nagoya Castle Main Keep Tower & Kinshachi

4 Hommaru Palace

5 Corner Watchtowers (Yagura)

6 Stone Walls & Kiyomasa Stone

7 Ninomaru Garden Area

8 Ninomaru Tea House

9 Events & Festivals at Nagoya Castle

10 How to Get to Nagoya Castle

11 Free Guided Tours and Accessibility

12 Admission Prices & Opening Hours of Nagoya Castle

13 Try some Local Food at Kishimen-tei Restaurant

14 So, is Nagoya Castle Worth a Visit?

15 Read more about Japan

16 Save “Is Nagoya Castle worth Visiting?” for Later!

A Brief History of Nagoya Castle

In 1600, after battling for many years, East and West Japan finally made peace with each other. But no one knew how long it would last. So Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), the first shogun (ruler) of Japan during the Edo period, decided to build Nagoya Castle as a defense site. Most of the buildings within the Nagoya Castle complex were completed between 1612 and 1615.

Ieyasu put Tokugawa Yoshinao (1607-1650), his ninth son, in charge of Nagoya Castle and appointed him the Lord of the Owari province. Yoshinao was the leader of the Owari Tokugawa family, who ruled the Owari Domain (the western part of today’s Aichi prefecture) until 1870.

Until the end of the Edo period, there was peace in Japan and thanks to its location between Edo (then-Tokyo) and Osaka, many travelers came through Nagoya. This helped the local economy, and the Nagoya region became one of the richest in all of Japan (in fact, the city’s origins are where the castle stands).

In 1930, Nagoya Castle was the first castle to become a Japanese National Treasure, thanks to its unique architecture. Sadly, a big part of the castle grounds was ruined by air raids during World War II in May 1945. But most of the buildings were reconstructed quickly after this horrible incident.

Where is Nagoya Castle & Complex?

Nagoya Castle stands proudly in the Nagoya city centre (Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031, Japan).

I’d recommend taking at least three hours to tour the Nagoya Castle grounds.

The castle complex consists of four parts:

• The Nishinomaru Area, the first section where visitors step foot in after entering through the Seimon (Main Gate). It also features the Victorious Kaya Tree, which is more than 600 years old!
• The Hommaru Area: Here you can find the Main Keep Tower, Hommaru Palace, Southwest and Southeast Corner Watchtowers, the kinshachi, and two small gift shops, which sell Nagoya Castle themed souvenirs.
• The Ninomaru Area is where the stunning Ninomaru Gardens and the Ninomaru Tea House are.
• The Ofukemaru Area has the Northwest Corner Watchtower and Tea Ceremony Houses, which are open during special occasions.

Nagoya Castle Main Keep Tower & Kinshachi

The Main Keep Tower is the most eye-catching building within the Nagoya Castle site, due to its white walls and green corroded metal roofs. The tower sits on a stone foundation, and the original building materials were wood, earthwork, and granite stone. The entire building is about 56 meters (183 ft) high. The tower was the main defense site in case an enemy would attack.

The local population perceived the Main Keep Tower as the symbol of Nagoya. After it was destroyed in 1945, people helped with donations, so the replacement tower was finished in 1959. The outside looks the same as the original, although it now consists of steel-framed, reinforced concrete.

In the past, there was a museum inside the tower, which displayed original screen paintings from Hommaru Palace, weapons, armors, and more historic items. But since 2018, it’s been closed, because of a new restoration project and earthquake concerns.

The City of Nagoya plans to tear down the tower in 2024 and expects to complete its rebuild in 2028. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the Nagoya Castle’s website.

If you look closely at the top roof of the Main Keep Tower, you’ll spot the two kinshachi. They are mythical tiger-fish creatures, and their mission is to protect the tower from fire. They are plated with real gold!

The original kinshachi were worth 1,940 Keicho era gold oban (large coins) in the Edo period, which shows the power and wealth of the Tokugawa family.

Hommaru Palace

Hommaru Palace was built out of cypress wood and had 13 sections and 30 rooms. Initially, Yoshinao, the first ruling lord of Owari, used Hommaru Palace as his provincial government office and lived here, too.

Even though the air raids in 1945 also damaged the palace utterly, some significant historical records (e.g., sliding doors, measurement drawings, foundation stones and photographs) survived. These remains made an authentic restoration of Hommaru Palace possible. Reconstruction started in 2009, and the palace was reopened to the public in 2018.

While Hommaru Palace looks impressive from the outside, its interior wins the competition without a doubt! The inside of the palace has six main areas:

• Genkan (Entrance Hall): This is the first section that visitors would go through, while they waited for a meeting with the lord. The tigers on the walls are supposed to represent the majesty of the lords.
• Omote Shoin (Main Hall): The largest section of the palace and Lord Yoshinao’s administrative offices. This is where formal audiences (meetings) occurred.
• Taimenjo (Reception Hall): This hall was only open to family members and retainers for private meetings and meals. Some of the paintings show famous sights of Kyoto and the Wakayama prefecture.
• Jorakuden Hall: This section was added to Hommaru Palace in 1634 for Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Edo ruler of Japan, and were reserved for shogun (ruler) visits. They were the most luxurious rooms of the palace.
• Yudono Shoin: This was a bathing room section, that only the shogun was allowed to use. However, it had a sauna-like steam bath facility en lieu of a bathtub.
• Kuroki Shoin (Inner Reception Hall): This structure was the only one built from fine pine woods. It had a soothing atmosphere with elegant ink-wash paintings on the walls.

All sections (except the bathing rooms) feature fine wall and screen paintings and metal pieces on a mostly golden background. They represent the seasons as well as creatures found in nature and Japanese folklore. Each section’s wall decorations are completely unique!

There are a few rules visitors have to follow while visiting Hommaru Palace. For example, please take off your shoes before entering, and leave your luggage in the free lockers inside the entrance area.

Hommaru Palace is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.

Corner Watchtowers (Yagura)

There are three watchtowers, which were built to protect Nagoya Castle: The Southwest Corner Watchtower, Southeast Corner Watchtower, and Northwest Corner Watchtower. Guards sat inside these towers so they could spot approaching enemies. The watchtowers are usually closed to the public.

The Southwest Corner Watchtower has stone dropping chutes above the stone walls (ishi-otoshi) to attack enemies. Weapons were stored in this watchtower as well.

The Northwest Corner Watchtower was completed around 1619. The watchtowers are still in their original condition, as the air raids in 1945 didn’t damage them.

Stone Walls & Kiyomasa Stone

Back in 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered 20 daimyo (feudal lords and subordinates of the shogun) to construct Nagoya Castle. While doing this, the daimyo engraved several of the stones with their family crests, so people would know how much each one had contributed to the castle.

The biggest stone among these is the Kiyomasa Stone, which was named after Kato Kiyomasa, a famous castle architect and military leader.

Ninomaru Garden Area

Now it’s time to wander around the stunning Ninomaru Garden area! The lords of Nagoya Castle came here for private and official functions (i.e., to impress visitors), and it was Japan’s largest garden next to a lord’s residence.

There’s a great variety of flowers and trees growing and standing here throughout the seasons, including cherry blossoms, camellia, plantain lily, Japanese quince, maple trees, and Japanese plum.

Ninomaru Tea House

If you need a break from exploring the castle grounds, hang out at the Ninomaru Tea House for a bit! It’s a traditional Japanese house with tatami flooring and a calm and peaceful atmosphere. I was in the mood for a cup of Matcha tea, which came with Mochi (Japanese rice cake). It was super yummy!

The Ninomaru Tea House is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Events & Festivals at Nagoya Castle

Every season of the year at Nagoya Castle sounds amazing, so it’s hard to pick the best time of the year to visit! So, here’s an overview of fun events and festivals happening at the castle site:

Many people visit Nagoya Castle during the Cherry Blossom season (hanami) from late March to early April. More than 1,000 cherry trees are standing within the castle complex, and the Nagoya Castle Spring Festival is on from late March to early May.

During the cherry blossom season, the castle is open longer (until 8 pm) and the cherry trees are lit up in the evenings. Moreover, there are special events, such as the Southwest Corner Watchtower is open to the public, and tea ceremonies occur in the tea rooms in the Ofukemaru area.

In early August, locals and tourists alike celebrate the Nagoya Castle Summer Festival. The best part is the traditional Japanese Bon Odori dance in the evenings. Visitors can buy drinks, festival foods, and there are games, too! The castle is lit up when it’s dark and the castle grounds are open until 8:30 pm.

From early October to late November, it’s the time for the Nagoya Castle Autumn Festival! There’s a chrysanthemum growing competition in the Nishinomaru area, and dolls wearing chrysanthemum flowers are displayed at the Main Gate and East Gate.

Finally, don’t miss the Nagoya Castle Winter Festival during the first January week! There are musical performances by the Samurai Teams of the Aichi prefecture, a free Chinese Zodiac gift for the first 1,000 visitors on January 1st, and the Southeast Corner Watchtower is open to the public.

How to Get to Nagoya Castle

Thanks to its central location, there are several options to get to Nagoya Castle. Here are a few examples:

From Nagoya Station, the easiest option is taking the golden Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Bus, that will drop you off right by the Main Gate. The bus departs from bus stop #11, and a One-day Pass costs ¥ 500.

Or you can take the subway to get to Nagoya Castle. From Nagoya Station, hop on the Higashiyama Line until Sakae Station, then transfer to the Meijo Line and exit at Nagoyajo Station. It is only a couple minutes’ walk from the castle. The whole ride takes only 11 minutes, and a one-way ticket is ¥ 240.

It’s about 35 minutes of a walk from Nagoya Station to Nagoya Castle or about 12 minutes by bicycle.

If you’re driving, take the Nagoya Express Way Route No. 1 Kusunoki-line, “Kurokawa” exit, which is about 8 minutes from Nagoya Castle. There are parking lots next to the Main Gate and the East Gate, and parking fees start at ¥180 per 30 minutes.

The Nagoya Castle address is 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031, Japan.

Free Guided Tours and Accessibility

For visitors who prefer to have a guide with them while exploring Nagoya Castle, there’s a free daily English-speaking tour at 12:30 pm from the East Gate (except December 29th through January 4th). This tour is offered by the Aichi Goodwill Guides Network (AGGN) and a reservation is not necessary.

Private tours are available too, but you must make a reservation at least seven days before. Please find more details about these tours on the Nagoya Castle website.

The Nagoya Castle complex is fully wheelchair accessible. There are a few steps at the entrance of Hommaru Palace, so the staff will be happy to guide wheelchair users up a separate ramp. Accessible washrooms are available in the Ninomaru, Nishinomaru, and Hommaru Area.

Admission Prices & Opening Hours of Nagoya Castle

The admission fees to Nagoya Castle are as follows:

Junior high school students and younger are free of charge!

This ticket includes a visit to all sights of the castle complex. You can pay with cash or with credit card at the ticket booth at the Main Gate. IC cards (e.g., Suica and PASMO) are accepted as well.

Nagoya Castle is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm, except December 29th to January 1st. The last entry of the day is at 4 pm.

Try some Local Food at Kishimen-tei Restaurant

If you’d like to grab lunch before or after your visit to Nagoya Castle, the local Kishimen-tei Restaurant (1 Chome-2-3 Sannomaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031, Japan) is only a 5-minute walk away. How convenient! Here you can try kishimen flat udon noodle soup, which is a specialty of the Nagoya region.

Customers buy a ticket from the ticket machine at the entrance, give it to the counter staff, and pick it up when the meal is ready. They also serve other local specialties, such as Miso Kushikatsu (skewered meat and vegetables). The prices are very reasonable, with some meals costing less than ¥1,000.

While I didn’t go to this restaurant, some friends of mine did, and they loved the tasty food and friendly staff! Kishimen-tei Restaurant is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm (except December 29th to January 1st).

So, is Nagoya Castle Worth a Visit?

While it doesn’t seem to be as popular as other Japanese castles, Nagoya Castle is worth a visit for sure! First of all, it’s great to learn how it played an important role in the early days of Nagoya City during the Edo period. This is how the city became one of the most powerful in all of Japan.

Besides, Nagoya Castle has some amazing features, such as the kinshachi and the marvelous paintings inside Hommaru Palace. You won’t find these anywhere else! The festivals throughout the year sound like a lot of fun as well.

Although it’s Nagoya’s top tourist attraction, Nagoya Castle is way less crowded than other Japanese castles. So, you don’t have to stand in line too long to get into its great buildings. I can’t wait to return to Nagoya Castle someday and see the inside of the Main Keep Tower!

Have you visited Nagoya Castle? Let me know your tips for visiting in the comments!

Read more about Japan

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Save “Is Nagoya Castle worth Visiting?” for Later!

This is a guest post by fellow travel blogger, Joey. Check out their site at Joey is a Traveler.