Nagoya Castle

After winning the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu began the construction of Nagoya Castle in 1610 as a preparation against the Toyotomi forces in Osaka. The order for the castle's construction was given to 20 daimyos from western Japan who had served the Toyotomi family, including Kato Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori. This was called "Tenka Bushin," meaning "public works for the realm." Nagoya Castle, built with the Tokugawa clan's prestige at stake, features a large main keep topped with a golden shachihoko, a luxurious main palace, an expansive Ninomaru garden, high stone walls, deep moats, and cleverly designed defensive layouts, making it a perfect example of a modern castle. Nagoya Castle thrived as the residence of the Owari Tokugawa family, the head of the three Tokugawa families, throughout the 260 years of the Edo period.

Alongside the castle's construction, a relocation known as "Kiyosu Kosh" took place, which led to the formation of a grid-style castle town that serves as the prototype for present-day Nagoya. As one of Japan's foremost castles that conveys its historical appearance, Nagoya Castle has been designated as a Special Historical Site by the country. It is the foundation of Nagoya's city development and tells the story of Nagoya's culture.

▸ Hommaru Palace (Burned and Reconstructed)
Built in 1615 as the residence and administrative headquarters for the lord of the Owari clan, this building is a prime example of shoin-zukuri architecture, representative of Japan. It is considered the finest masterpiece of modern castle palaces and, alongside the main keep, was designated as Japan's first national treasure. Although it tragically burned down during an air raid in 1945, reconstruction efforts began based on valuable historical materials such as Edo-period blueprints, and in 2018, the palace regained its magnificent appearance.

▸ Scenic Spot: Ninomaru Garden
This garden was established to the north of the Ninomaru Palace, where successive lords lived both publicly and privately. It boasts Japan's largest garden of its kind attached to a palace. Although much of the garden was removed during the Meiji period, it was discovered that significant remains of a large daimyō garden from the late Edo period still exist, leading to the entire garden being designated as a scenic spot in 2018.

▸ Important Cultural Property: Southeast Watchtower
Located at the southeast corner of the Hommaru and constructed around 1612, it has the same structure as the southwest watchtower. The decorative roof of the eastern side features an elevated gabled roof known as nokikara-hafu, indicating high status.

▸ Important Cultural Property: Northwest Watchtower
Located at the northwest corner of the Osukubai Maru and built around 1619, this three-story watchtower is notable as the second largest of its kind still standing since the Edo period.

▸ Main Keep (Burned and Reconstructed)
Completed in 1612, it burned down during air raids in 1945, but was rebuilt post-war as a reinforced concrete structure. Currently, it is closed due to issues with aging facilities and seismic safety.

▸ Important Cultural Property: Otemon Gate
Completed around 1612, this imposing gate to the south of the Hommaru has thick wooden pillars and doors secured with iron plates. The earthen walls beside the gate include loopholes for shooting firearms.

▸ Important Cultural Property: Old Ninomaru Eastern Gate
Finished around 1612, this gate is designed in the traditional Korean style known as Kouraimon, with iron bands affixed to the pillars and door. Originally located at the site of the Ninomaru Eastern Iron Gate, it was relocated to its present site in 1972, keeping the original materials intact.

▸ Main Gate (Former Enokidamon, Burned and Reconstructed)
This main gate leading to the Hommaru was a prestigious entrance limited to the lord and senior officials. It was moved from the old Edo Castle's Hasuike Mon in 1910 but burned down during the war. It was reconstructed in 1959 alongside the main keep.

▸ Tea Rooms
In the Oofuke Maru garden, approximately 2,000 square meters feature historic tea rooms including Shoin, Sarumen Bōgaku Tea Room, Yuuin Tea Room, and Oribe-dō.

▸ Western Moat Treasure Hall
The Western Moat Treasure Hall is a facility that recreates the exteriors of the third and fourth storage houses located in the Nishinomaru. Named "Treasure Hall," it introduces the treasures of Nagoya Castle and provides information about its history. It offers a "History Information Room" and an exhibition area showcasing important cultural properties, allowing visitors to learn about the history and charm of Nagoya Castle in an enjoyable and profound manner.

▸ Stone Walls and Kiyomasa Stone
By the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, 20 daimyos from the Toyotomi government conducted the stone wall construction. Each stone in the wall bears the marks of the respective daimyos. The largest stone, known as "Kiyomasa Stone," is believed to have been transported by Kato Kiyomasa, although it is thought to be merely a legend as the construction was overseen by Kuroda Nagamasa.

▸ Umegawamom Gate Ruins
A gate for the lord's escape was constructed to the west of the Ninomaru Garden. In case of emergency, one could pass through a gate made below the earthen walls and descend stairs into the dry moat, from where they could escape by boat to the opposite bank of the moat (Ofuke Great Moat).

▸ Nogi Warehouse
Remaining from the Meiji period in the Oofuke Maru, this building was constructed as an ammunition depot. Its name is said to come from Colonel Nogi Meresuke, but this is not confirmed. It survived the air raids, and many valuable wall paintings and ceiling paintings were preserved as they had been evacuated beforehand.

▸ Natural Monument: Victory Cedar Tree
This natural monument, a cedar tree said to be over 600 years old, is legendary. When the first lord of the Owari clan, Tokugawa Yoshinao, was going to the Siege of Osaka, he is said to have prayed for victory by placing its nuts on his dining table.