NAGOYA CASTLE

A must-see for anyone visiting Nagoya. Originally, a fortress stood on the site of today's castle. It was built by and for the Oda clan. Then, in 1610, Ieyasu Tokugawa had the famous Nagoya Castle built for his ^9th son, Yoshinao, enabling him to control the whole of central Honshū and keep an eye on his opponents, who were still loyal to the Toyotomi. The Tokugawa of Owari remained in possession of the castle until the Meiji Restoration. Situated on the Tokaido road, it provided a secure access route to Edo. In 1930, it became the property of the municipality of Nagoya. It was bombed at the end of the Second World War in 1945 and rebuilt in 1959 with a reinforced concrete structure.

You can see the foundations of the pre-war Hon Maru, some of which have been preserved in the spared keep, now converted into a museum. You can admire the shachihoko (mythical orca-like animals) found on the crest of the castle roofs, and also the fusuma, the painted sliding doors, which are quite remarkable. A visit to Nagoya-jo is particularly spectacular and magical in spring, when the park's many cherry trees are in bloom. The atmosphere is truly enchanting. Free tours in English are also offered by an official network of guides. This is a great way to learn about the castle's history and other interesting anecdotes.