* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Nagoya Castle
名古屋城
Nagoya Castle is a historic castle in Chūbu dating from the Built in 1610 (Keichō 15), whose lord was Tokugawa Yoshinao (first lord of Owari Tokugawa).
Overview
Nagoya Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the capstone of national unification. Its tower, crowned with golden shachihoko (dolphin-tiger ornaments), is the symbol of Owari. As the seat of the Owari Tokugawa — the most prestigious of the three Tokugawa branch families — it prospered throughout the Edo period. The Honmaru Palace, regarded as the supreme masterpiece of early modern castle palaces, features stunning Kanō-school paintings. Though the tower was destroyed in WWII, the Honmaru Palace has been fully restored. The Owari Tokugawa were renowned sword collectors, and their collection now resides in the Tokugawa Art Museum. Visiting both Nagoya Castle and the museum offers a complete experience of Tokugawa sword culture.
Connection to Swords
The Owari Tokugawa were among Japan's greatest sword collectors, amassing a vast collection including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. Notable pieces include tantō by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu such as the celebrated Namazuo Tōshirō. The Tokugawa Art Museum still houses and displays many of these heirloom blades. Owari Province was within the sphere of the Mino swordmaking tradition, maintaining active exchanges with smiths from Seki and Mino. Nagoya's castle town was home to concentrated communities of sword-related artisans — polishers, tsuba makers, and handle wrappers — forming a major industry supporting sword culture. Owari's sword heritage, backed by the authority and wealth of the Tokugawa branch family, ranks among the richest in Japan.
Highlights
- Golden shachihoko (symbol of Nagoya)
- Honmaru Palace (fully restored)
- Tokugawa Art Museum (Owari Tokugawa sword collection)
- Southwest and Southeast corner turrets (Important Cultural Properties)
- Ninomaru Garden (Place of Scenic Beauty)
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.