Nagoya Castle was built around 1610 as the castle of the Owari Domain with 540,000 koku, and is known alongside Osaka Castle and Kumamoto Castle as one of Japan's three most famous castles. The Honmaru Palace has been fully restored and is now open to visitors, showcasing the finest samurai architecture and craftsmanship of the Edo shogunate; the "Golden Shachi" roof tiles excavated from the castle have become the central symbol of jōkamachi tourism. Want to know how to explore the best of the castle town in one day? Read on.
- Nagoya Castle (Honmaru Palace): The supreme masterpiece of early Edo samurai architecture, with Gold Shachi tiles as a limited viewing highlight, see details
- Tokugawa Garden: The Owari Tokugawa family villa's strolling-style Japanese garden with different scenery in each season, see details
- Nagoya Station Area: The modern city center extending south of the castle town, where department stores and historic sites coexist
- Meijo University (Former Nagoya Higher School): Meiji and Taisho era red brick architecture reflecting the educational culture of the modern castle town
For more city exploration and in-depth historical tours, check out the complete guide.
When it comes to Nagoya's castle towns (jōkamachi), many people may feel a bit confused—as the largest industrial and commercial city in central Japan, Nagoya's preserved traditional castle town scenery is indeed not as complete as Kanazawa or Takayama. However, it is this unique blend of ancient and modern charm that makes Nagoya the ideal starting point for exploring the history of the Owari Domain. In 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle, which subsequently gave rise to the castle-centered jōkamachi settlement. Today, although modern high-rise buildings surround the former castle area, there are still many worth savoring historic sites and districts waiting for travelers to discover.
The castle town charm of Nagoya is mainly reflected in the following distinctive highlights: First, Nagoya Castle itself is a symbol of Owari Domain authority—the stone walls and keep of the main tower remain imposing after being rebuilt following war damage; Second, the "Nakazakashita" area extending outward from Nagoya Castle retains traditional machiya architecture and narrow alleyway atmospheres; Third, the Inuyama Castle Town, located not far from Nagoya, is designated as a National Important Traditional Building Conservation Area, making it an excellent place to experience Edo period charm; Fourth, while Nagoya's "Sakae" area is a modern commercial district, the underground streets preserve Edo period canal remnants, impressing visitors with the city's evolution.
Here are some highly recommended places to experience Nagoya's castle town charm:
Nagoya Castle is a must-visit destination for all travelers. This castle, built in 1610, was ordered by Tokugawa Ieyasu for the Owari Domain lord and took approximately three years to complete. The main tower was burned down during World War II, and the current keep is a reinforced concrete reconstruction from 1959, but retains the original design style. The interior of the main tower has been converted into a museum displaying historical artifacts and armor from the Owari Domain. Most impressive are the sliding door paintings in the Honmaru Palace—these exquisite byōbu screens depict themes such as tigers and the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, showcasing the artistic skill of top craftsmen of the Edo period. Surrounding the castle is the spacious Nagoya Castle Nishinomaru Garden, where plum blossoms in spring and maple leaves in autumn are equally enchanting.
Inuyama Castle Town is located about 30 kilometers north of Nagoya and can be reached via the Meitetsu Inuyama Line. This well-preserved castle town is designated as a National Important Traditional Building Conservation Area; the approximately 400-meter Main Street (Omote-dōri) is lined with machiya buildings that have been preserved since the Edo period. The streets feature many traditional craft shops, matcha dessert shops, and wagashi stores, with old establishments founded during the Edo period being particularly rich in historical heritage. We recommend trying the local specialty "Inuyama Kinchaku"—a sticky rice dumpling wrapped in red bean paste, uniquely triangular in shape.
The "Nagoya Hub" Underground Shopping Center around Nagoya Station may seem unrelated to castle towns, but an interesting historical secret is hidden here. Within the modern underground passage system, a portion of Edo period canal remnants has been preserved. Walking through Nagoya Station's underground shopping area, you can see ancient stone walls covered with glass—these are witnesses of the ship transport era, telling the story of this city's evolution from a small port town to a modern metropolis.
Ōsu Kannon Temple located in the Ōsu area of central Nagoya, is one of the city's oldest Buddhist temples. The temple was built in 1612, the same year as Nagoya Castle. The surrounding Ōsu Kannon-dōri is a famous shopping street, gathering various traditional craft shops and trendy stores, creating a wonderful blend of ancient and modern. On the monthly fair days, antique markets are also held here, attracting many collectors to hunt for treasures.
Tokugawa Garden is located on the north side of Nagoya Castle, at the former site of the Owari Domain lord's villa. This strolling-style Japanese garden was built in 1931, utilizing natural terrain undulations to create rich landscape layers. The waterfalls, ponds, and maple groves present different scenery throughout the four seasons, with autumn foliage being particularly stunning. Although the buildings themselves are a later work, the garden's design fully embodies the aesthetic spirit of traditional Japanese garden design.
Getting to these attractions is quite convenient: From Chubu International Airport, you can take the Meitetsu μ-SKY limited express train to Nagoya Station, taking approximately 28 minutes. Nagoya Castle is accessible via the Subway Meijo Line to "Nagoya Castle" Station, about a 3-minute walk away, with admission at ¥500; Tokugawa Garden is also reached via the Meijo Line to "Yahagichō" Station, about a 5-minute walk, with admission at ¥300. For Inuyama Castle Town, take the Meitetsu Inuyama Line from Nagoya Station to Inuyama Station or Inuyama Yūen Station, then walk about 10 minutes; Inuyama Castle admission is ¥550. If you have the "Nagoya Castle · Tokugawa Garden Combined Ticket," you can enjoy a discounted price of ¥700.
Here are some suggestions for touring Nagoya's castle towns: Spring (late March to early April) is the best time to visit, when Nagoya Castle's plum blossoms and cherry blossoms bloom simultaneously, creating magnificent scenery; While summer is hot, you can experience Nagoya's unique Tanabata Festival; The autumn foliage season begins from mid-November, making Tokugawa Garden and Inuyama particularly beautiful. If time permits, we recommend a two-day, one-night itinerary—visit Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa Garden on the first day, and head to Inuyama Castle Town on the second day for a deeper experience of the Owari Domain's historical charm. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the well-preserved castle town areas require quite a bit of walking to explore.
