Nagoya Castle

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

Historical significance

Nagoya Castle was built to protect the region between Edo and Osaka; it served as the residence of Owari-Tokugawa. Since 2018, the object has become available for inspection. Experts 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 strengthening. The base for the tower was built by the famous 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 Nagoya Castle have been preserved from the building. They were added to the list of Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Information for tourists

The 7 floors of the Nagoya Castle tower house museum displays and exhibitions. For the convenience of visitors, an elevator was installed. The inspection begins with a visit to the semi-basement where the imitation Ogonsui well is stored. 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 centuries past and find out in what atmosphere rulers and ordinary people lived. Full immersion into the previous era is achieved through special effects. On the fourth floor of Nagoya Castle there is a weapons collection with samples of samurai weapons and armor. On the floor above are large-scale replicas of Xiachoko carp. Historians call the exhibit the castle's mascot. This is perhaps the museum's most popular exhibit. This conclusion was made due to the fact that tourists often take pictures with the mythical fish in the background. Visitors cannot enter the sixth floor. But there is access to the observation deck on the 7th floor. From here you have a view of the complex and city 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; local residents say that the trip from the city station will take no more than 20 minutes.