Nagoya Castle, Aichi

The land of Owari (present Aichi prefecture west) who has produced Oda family and Imagawa family once nationally named. The roots that made up the warriors of the Warring States period are still living in Nagoya.
Nagoya Castle, a castle representative of the Tokai-Owari region. It was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in a castle ruined that Oda Nobunaga was born. Part of the castle and the tower disappeared during wartime, and now the appearance is restored.
Nagoya Castle has always been told as a great castle built in the Edo period. The dignity of the castle tower is also wonderful, but the beauty of the surrounding nature is also outstanding. In spring you can enjoy the elegant castle surrounded by cherry blossoms.
Nagoya Castle is also known as “castle of golden dolphins”. The reason for this is in golden shachihoko (golden dolphins), which dignifiedly stands on the roof of the castle. It has long been popular as a symbol of Nagoya castle, and is still an attraction of tourism. The two shachihoko at the ends of the roof are paired with males and females.
The interior of the Great castle tower is an exhibition facility with seven floors. Elevator is also equipped, and people who use wheel chair and person with disabilities can feel free to visit. In the exhibition room on the third floor, the state of Nagoya castle which was prosperous during the Edo period is restored.
Meijo Park is a general public park made using the castle ruins of Nagoya castle. It is a diverse area where many people can use, from local people to tourists. In addition to the event venue, there is a beautiful garden-like open space that has been serviced and you can spend relaxing time.
In addition, around the area including Nagoya castle, there are lots of spots where you can feel the history of Owari. Because transportation is also very good, please feel free to explore.

The history that the feudal lord of the Owari Tokugawa family

Speaking of the sightseeing spot representing Nagoya, Nagoya Castle will be mentioned it as the first on the list. It is this Nagoya Castle that Ieyasu Tokugawa built in 1609 as the last strategic arrangement of the world unification, since then, it had the history that the feudal lord of the Owari Tokugawa family, which was counted by one of the Tokugawa big three, usually resided.

The Golden Shachihoko

By the Nagoya air raid which broke out in 1945, most buildings of this castle also turned into ashes. It becomes only six including the southwest corner tower or the southeast corner tower that it is existing, without changing from the time of the Owari feudal clan.
However, the castle tower of Nagoya Castle which has watched the area of the Owari for a long time revived in 1959. The main castle-tower of five layers which being crowned the Golden Shachihoko (golden dolphins surmounting the roof of a castle-tower) and the small castle-tower were rebuilt, and the dignity, which would remind us of those days, was regained.

Very gorgeous atmosphere

Shortly after entering into a main enclosure palace, it is wrapped in the good scent of a cypress. The folding screen and sliding door of gold leaf attract attention first. It is very gorgeous, and this is the atmosphere called “a palace of Nagoya”.
Moreover, from the castle tower observation room of the top layer you can overlook a vast plain and mountains etc.

The Full-scale Golden Shachihoko

“The Full-scale Golden Shachihoko” is displayed on the fifth floor of the castle tower. Here, against the background of a blue sky, commemoration photography can be taken climbing on the big Shachihoko which has no less than 2.6 meters in height.

All the restoration construction is due to be completed in 2018

Restoration construction of Honmaru Goten (the palace of the keep of a castle) is advanced now, and public presentation of “Omote Shoin (a main drawing room) and Entrance” started in 2013. All the restoration construction is due to be completed in 2018.

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