Tokugawa
Nagoya Castle
名古屋城
| Alternate Name | Kinshachi-jo |
| Founder | Tokugawa Ieyasu |
| Year | 1612 |
| Reconstructed | 1959 (concrete) |
| Type | Flatland |
| Structure | 5 levels, 7 stories |
| Condition | Reconstructed |
| Rating | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ |
| Historical Site | Special Historic Site |
| Historical Value | Top 100 Castles, Important Cultural Properties |
| Historical Artifacts |
Important Cultural Properties: Southeast Corner Yagura, Southwest Corner Yagura, Omote Ninomon Gate, Ninomaru Ote Ninomon Gate, Former Ninomaru East Ninomon Gate, Northwest Corner Yagura |
| Location | Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture |
| Map | Google Map |
| Access | Shiyakusho Station (subway Meijo Line) |
| Website | Nagoya Castle Official Home Page |
| Visited | July 1992, several times in 1995-1996, February 23, 2004 |
| Notes | Had it not been destroyed by the bombing of World War 2, Nagoya Castle may have been more splendid than Himeji Castle with its original donjon and lord's palace. They are currently rasining funds to rebuild the palace. |
| History |
In 1610 Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya-jo to solidify the Tokugawa authority in Owari (Nagoya and vicinity). The castle was completed in 1612 and Tokugawa's ninth son Yoshinao entered the castle in 1616 from which he governed over Owari. Nagoya-jo is famous for the 2 golden shachihoko that adorn the top of its donjon. That is why it is also known as "Kinshachi-jo." Kin means "gold" and shachi refers to the killer whale type mythical creatures that sit atop the donjon and other castle structures. |
| Photo Tags |
Viewer Comments
(4) | Post CommentThere is also a paper-doll museum (so well-done some things don't even look like paper until you get really close) on the grounds and a bug museum on the top floor of the castle. When I was coming out of the castle the first time I went there, I ran into a guy I played hockey with a couple of years earlier in Canada. Small world.
October 23, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I went there in last april. The castle's museum and park is very interesting. I'm always disappointed when the castle is a concrete reconstruction. But this one is certainly worth a visit. There was an enclosure, obstructing a little the view of the tenshu from the honmaru. This enclosure is erected where the goten will be reconstructed.
August 04, 2009 at 02:03 AM
taht castle is the most beatiful other people need to go visit there
March 05, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Nagoyajo is a nice castle to visit. Inside the reconstructed Tenshu is a good museum. It is interesting to note that Nagoyajo does in fact have an original Tenshu- the Northwest Yagura was moved here from Kiyosujo, where it served as that Shiro's tenshu.
March 17, 2008 at 03:08 AM