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The Main Tower Keep, crowned by two gleaming golden shachihoko, and the magnificent Hommaru Palace, adorned with wall and sliding-door paintings.
One of Japan’s largest castle complexes, built in the early Edo period by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo shogunate. A pair of male and female golden shachihoko roof ornaments gleam atop the five-tiered Main Tower Keep, a symbol of Nagoya.
The Hommaru Palace, completed in 1615 as the feudal lord’s residence and seat of government, is also well worth seeing. It was destroyed by fire along with the Main Tower Keep during World War II in 1945, but a wooden reconstruction project began in 2009 and was completed and opened to the public in 2018. Its beautiful interior is decorated with wall and sliding-door paintings by the Kano school, a group of artists active from the Muromachi through the Edo period. The lavish Jorakuden was added in 1634 and served as lodging for the shogun on his journeys from Edo to Kyoto.
Oda Nobunaga is said to have spent part of his childhood at Nagono Castle, which previously stood on the site.
Cherry blossoms and the Main Tower Keep
The impressive stone walls constructed under the leadership of Kato Kiyomasa
The golden shachihoko gleaming on the roof are a symbol of Nagoya
The castle is beautifully illuminated at night
The Hommaru Palace, opened to the public in 2018 after completion of its wooden reconstruction
The Genkan entrance, decorated with paintings of tigers and leopards
Some reviews are AI-translated.
On the expansive grounds of Nagoya Castle, look up at the imposing, massive main keep, and the pair of solid-gold kinshachi—golden shachihoko—gleaming in the sunlight at both ends of the roof will instantly capture everyone’s attention! This famous castle, built by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, is considered one of Japan’s three great castles and is also a premier masterpiece showcasing the supreme power and authority of the Edo shogunate. The most jaw-dropping part of the entire castle is undoubtedly Honmaru Palace, which was perfectly restored in recent years after nearly a decade of work and enormous expense. Take off your shoes and step inside the palace, and the rich yet refined scent of hinoki cypress immediately fills the air. Every paper sliding door and folding screen before you was meticulously recreated stroke by stroke by today’s finest artisans in the style of Kano school masters. Covered in dazzling genuine gold leaf, they feature lifelike tigers, bamboo groves, and flowers and birds of the four seasons, all radiating elegance and grandeur. The level of luxury makes it feel as if an ancient palace made entirely of gold had been brought directly to life!
Stepping into Nagoya Castle feels like being transported back to the Edo period of Tokugawa Ieyasu in an instant! The most impressive sight is the pair of golden shachihoko on the roof, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight and showcasing the authority and splendor of the Edo shogunate. Walking along the moat, the massive stone walls rise in layers, and the weight of history surrounds you, making it impossible not to admire the extraordinary craftsmanship of the ancient builders.
The most stunning part is the recently restored Honmaru Palace. The moment you step inside, the dazzling gold wall paintings and intricately detailed carvings recreate the luxurious life of the shogun's family. It's breathtakingly beautiful. You may also run into the Nagoya Omotenashi Busho-tai, dressed in armor, whose lively interactions bring history to life. Whether surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring or colorful maple leaves in fall, this is definitely an essential attraction when visiting Nagoya!
Nagoya Castle is a must-see when visiting Nagoya! Admission is only JPY 500, and if you have a one-day subway pass, you can get an additional JPY 100 discount. It's a very good value.
Besides admiring the majestic castle keep and historic scenery, I especially recommend going inside Honmaru Palace! The dazzling gold wall paintings, intricate wooden architecture, and rich sense of history are truly worth seeing. The grounds are quite large, making it pleasant to stroll around and take photos at your own pace. It's definitely worth including on a trip to Nagoya!
It was drizzling when I visited Nagoya Castle. I thought there might be fewer people, but I was way off—it’s a popular attraction, so it was still packed with tourists!
Nagoya Castle truly deserves its reputation as one of Japan’s three great castles. The most eye-catching feature is the pair of gleaming golden shachihoko atop the castle tower. They stood out even more against the gray sky and looked incredibly majestic. As I slowly explored the grounds, every corner felt steeped in history, and the rain added a unique atmosphere. This is definitely worth including in your Nagoya itinerary. It’s not only beautiful for photos, but also offers a wonderful glimpse into the Edo period.
I wasn't particularly interested in Nagoya Castle until I learned that the city had faithfully reconstructed Honmaru Palace—including spaces such as Jorakuden Hall and Yudono Shoin—using surviving prewar plans, photographs, measurements, and wall paintings. In other words, Nagoya Castle offers more than just a castle keep; you can also visit the shogun's residence. Once I learned that, I was determined to go.
Honmaru Palace was what I looked forward to most, and it was every bit as breathtaking as I expected. From the entrance and Omote Shoin to Jorakuden Hall, there was a succession of gold-leaf wall paintings, carved transoms, decorative metalwork, and elaborately designed ceilings. It was so lavish that my neck started to ache from constantly looking up. I could also hear other visitors gasping in amazement.
Yudono Shoin was equally fascinating. This was the shogun's private bathing and relaxation area. Rather than a bathtub, it featured a steam bath. The craftsmanship of the woodwork was exquisite, and even the bathing area had the refinement expected of a facility reserved for the shogun.
Because the palace contains almost no furniture or household items, some rooms can look similar, making it difficult to immediately imagine how they were used. However, by closely observing differences in floor height, the subjects of the wall paintings, ceilings, transoms, and seating arrangements, you can still see how each space reflected status and hierarchy.
If time allows, I highly recommend visiting Nagoya Castle and the Tokugawa Art Museum together. Honmaru Palace showcases the architectural spaces and formal order of the samurai class, while the museum preserves armor, tea utensils, paintings, calligraphy, and everyday objects from the Owari Tokugawa family. Together, they provide a much clearer understanding of daimyo culture and daily life at the time.
I used to have low expectations for Nagoya Castle, but now I feel that simply being able to walk through such a meticulously reconstructed palace makes the visit worthwhile—even without access to the castle keep.
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