Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle (名古屋城, Nagoyajō) stands as a powerful symbol of the city’s origins and feudal legacy. Built in the early 1600s by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the seat of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family, the castle played a crucial role in solidifying the shogunate’s control over central Japan. Once among the largest and most prestigious castles in the country, it laid the foundation for the growth of modern Nagoya. Although the original structure was largely destroyed during World War II, the main keep was rebuilt in ferro-concrete in 1959. The expansive castle grounds feature broad moats, elegant corner turrets, and a tranquil park that becomes a cherry blossom haven each spring, attracting both locals and tourists with its seasonal beauty.

A highlight of the site is the fully reconstructed Honmaru Goten Palace, completed in 2018 after a decade of meticulous restoration using traditional methods and materials. This architectural gem exemplifies the refined elegance of Shoin-zukuri style, with intricately painted sliding doors and ornately adorned audience chambers once used by feudal lords. While the main keep is currently closed due to seismic safety concerns, the city of Nagoya is moving ahead with plans to reconstruct it entirely in wood, aiming to restore its Edo-period grandeur by 2032. The ambitious restoration has become a source of civic pride, merging historical authenticity with cultural preservation.