Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle is located in the center of a city with a population of over 2 million people. It was built in 1612 as the main residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. At first, the site was the main political and administrative center of the Ovari Principality. During the Second World War, the National Treasure was not completely destroyed, it was restored with donations from the townspeople. Today it is one of the main symbols of the city, it is included in the top 100 castles and monuments of Japan.

Historical significance

Nagoya Castle was built to protect the region between Edo and Osaka, and it served as the residence of the Owari Tokugawa. Since 2018, the facility has been available for inspection. Experts have recreated the original appearance of the pavilion and the main site of Hommaru. The complex began to be created by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu after the victory over Toyotomi. The Tokugawa government needed a fortification. The base for the tower was built by the renowned fortifier Kato Kiyomasa. He completed the work in 3 months. Due to the dilapidated state of the tower, reconstruction was carried out. The corner towers and gates of the Nagoya Castle have been preserved from the construction. They were added to the list of Important cultural Treasures of Japan.

Information for tourists

The 7 floors of the Nagoya Castle Tower house museum expositions and exhibitions. An elevator was installed for the convenience of visitors. The inspection begins with a visit to the basement, where an imitation of the Ogonsui well is kept. In addition, here you can see a model of a cabin that served as a means of transportation for the government elite.

On the ground floor there is a model of the Nagoya complex, paintings with frescoes. Guests can enter the next floor if temporary exhibitions are open at that time. Visitors will be able to travel back to the past centuries and find out in what atmosphere the rulers and the common people lived. Full immersion in the previous era is achieved through special effects. On the fourth floor of the Nagoya Castle there is an armory collection with samples of samurai weapons and armor. On the floor above, there are large-scale replicas of carp-shatihoko. Historians call the exhibit the mascot of the castle. Perhaps this is the most popular museum exhibit. This conclusion is made due to the fact that tourists are often photographed against the background of a mythical fish. Visitors cannot enter the sixth floor. But access to the observation deck on the 7th floor is open. It offers views of the complex and the city's landscapes.

It is worth paying special attention to the fact that public transport does not reach Nagoya Castle. You can get here by taxi or rented car, locals say that the trip from the city station will take no more than 20 minutes.