* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Nagoya City Museum
名古屋市博物館
Overview
Overview of the Museum
The Nagoya City Museum opened in 1977 (Showa 52) as a comprehensive municipal museum, displaying the history, culture, archaeology, and folklore of Nagoya, Owari, and Mikawa regions. It ranks among the largest-scale history museums in the Chubu region. Owari and Mikawa—which produced the "Three Great Unifiers" (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu)—stand as one of Japan's most historically significant regions, and the museum's collections reflect the richness of that history. In the sword collection, the museum houses valuable materials related to the Three Great Unifiers and the Owari Tokugawa clan, enabling visitors to deeply understand Aichi's history through the lens of Japanese swords.
Swords of the Three Great Unifiers
Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, from Owari (western Aichi), and Tokugawa Ieyasu, from Mikawa (eastern Aichi), are the most important figures in shaping Japan's Sengoku and early modern history. The Nagoya City Museum houses numerous swords, armor, and documents associated with the Three Great Unifiers. Works by swordsmiths active in Owari and Mikawa become essential materials for understanding sword culture throughout the Chubu region. From functional blades of the Sengoku period to ceremonial swords of the Edo period, the museum displays swords across a broad range of eras and styles, with detailed explanations of the regional characteristics of Owari and Mikawa blades.
Owari Swordsmiths and Sword Culture
Aichi Prefecture has long been a major center of sword production. Owari Province (present-day Nagoya area) lies near sites associated with Mino swordsmiths such as the Shizu school and Sekino Mago-roku, while Mikawa Province (present-day Toyohashi and Okazaki area) hosted accomplished swordsmiths based in Okazaki. The Nagoya City Museum also houses works by these local Owari and Mikawa swordsmiths, allowing visitors to systematically study the history of sword production in the Chubu region. Additionally, part of the Owari Tokugawa clan's sword collection—one of the three cadet branches (Mito, Owari, and Kii)—is on display, and a combined visit with the adjacent Tokugawa Art Museum is recommended.
Special and Thematic Exhibitions
Throughout the year, the Nagoya City Museum mounts ambitious special and thematic exhibitions. Shows focusing on samurai, swords, and armor draw visitors not only from Nagoya but from across Japan, becoming popular exhibitions. The museum actively collaborates with cultural institutions such as Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya City Art Museum, and Aichi Prefectural Art Museum through joint exhibitions and programs, offering diverse content that allows visitors to experience Nagoya as the "castle town of the Three Great Unifiers." The museum's accessible location from Nagoya Station—the gateway to Nagoya, the central city of Chubu—via subway is also an appealing feature.
Highlights
- Swords and armor of the Three Great Unifiers (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu)—blades, helmets, and documents connected to these three who ruled Owari and Mikawa. Experience the martial culture of Japan's most pivotal historical figures.
- Local swordsmith collection from Owari and Mikawa—a systematic display of sword production history in the Chubu region. Owari and Mikawa blades spanning from functional Sengoku-period weapons to ceremonial Edo-period swords.
- Swords of the Owari Tokugawa clan—a selection of blades connected to this cadet branch of the Tokugawa. Combined visits with the Tokugawa Art Museum provide a comprehensive view of Owari Tokugawa samurai culture.
- Ambitious special exhibitions featuring samurai and swords—multiple annual exhibitions dedicated to swords, armor, and samurai themes. These popular exhibitions draw sword enthusiasts from across Japan and are not to be missed.
- Cultural route linking Nagoya Castle and the Tokugawa Art Museum—touring cultural facilities to experience Nagoya as the castle town of the Three Great Unifiers. A central cultural destination in Nagoya tourism easily accessible by subway.
* Opening hours and exhibitions are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.