After a satisfying lunch of tonkatsu at Misokatsu Yabaton, we were buzzing with energy and ready to explore. Rather than wasting time waiting for hotel check-in, we decided to visit Nagoya Castle, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Spoiler: it was pretty, the Honmaru Palace was gorgeous, but the experience left me with mixed feelings. Here’s the honest lowdown.
Getting to Nagoya Castle: Easier Than You’d Think
Getting around Nagoya by train is an absolute breeze. Just grab an IC card at any train station (works exactly like our EZ-Link card back home) and you’re sorted for tap-and-go travel, plus cashless payments at convenience stores and vending machines.
The nearest stop to Nagoya Castle is Nagoyajo Station on the purple Meijo Line. Heads up: it was formerly called Shiyakusho Station and still shows up that way on some older maps. Same station, no worries.
- Exit via Exit 7 and you’ll spot the red “Nagoya” sign immediately
- Walk straight past the row of restaurants (the autumn foliage on the trees here is gorgeous, even in winter!)
- Turn left when you see the stone walls, and you’ll reach the East Gate where the ticketing counter is
Admission is just ¥500 for adults — one of the better deals in the city.
Nagoya Castle Tickets & Opening Hours
- Opening hours: 9am to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm)
- Payment: Cash or credit card/contactless accepted at the counter
- Pro tip: Head straight to Honmaru Palace first — it has its own queue and it’s the main reason to visit
Honmaru Palace: The Star of Nagoya Castle
Originally built in 1615 as the residence of warlord Tokugawa Yoshinao, the entire palace was sadly destroyed during World War II. Using original blueprints, Edo-period records, and traditional master-carpenter techniques, the palace was painstakingly reconstructed from scratch.
Quick note: you’ll need to take off your shoes before entering.
The first thing that hits you is the gold. So much gold. Then you start noticing the hand-painted artwork on the walls — tigers, leopards, cherry blossoms, pine trees, birds, winter landscapes. It honestly felt like wandering through an art gallery rather than a palace.
Don’t forget to look up! The ceilings are works of art too, with intricate floral grids and detailed carvings that are easy to miss if you’re only looking at eye level.
The Main Tower Keep: Look, Don’t Touch
After exiting the palace, the iconic green-roofed Main Tower Keep comes into view. Unfortunately, it’s currently closed to the public due to safety concerns, so you can only admire it from the outside and snap photos.
On the grounds nearby, you can spot the original foundation cornerstones from the 1600s castle keep, which were relocated out to the courtyard. A nice little history nugget.
Don’t Miss the Samurai Performers
Keep an eye out for the Nagoya Omotenashi Bushotai — samurai performers stationed at Nagoya Castle daily. They interact with visitors, pose for photos, and share the history of the area. Great photo opp if your timing’s right.
Wander the Gardens
If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll spot something genuinely unusual: giant tropical Cycad plants wrapped up in elaborate straw cones. This traditional practice is called sotetsu no komomaki, where gardeners protect the delicate plants from winter frost using straw wraps (wara-zukin). It honestly looks like an outdoor art installation.
Other things to check out around the grounds:
- About 900 cherry blossom trees — a famous hanami (“flower viewing”) spot in spring
- The serene Ninomaru Teahouse
- The Old Nagoya Castle ruins
The serene Ninomaru Teahouse, tucked quietly into the gardens — a lovely spot to slow down for a bit.
We comfortably covered the entire grounds and explored Honmaru Palace in under 2 hours.
Final Verdict: Is Nagoya Castle Worth Visiting?
Honestly? Mixed feelings. The admission fee is genuinely cheap, and the grounds are lovely for a stroll — especially during the crisp winter months. But here’s my honest take: visit only if you’ve got a free day and nothing else planned.
Because of the extensive restoration works, Honmaru Palace — while beautifully reconstructed — feels a bit lacking in historical authenticity. Everything looks too new and too modern. And not being able to enter the Main Tower Keep is a real bummer. Nagoya Castle isn’t quite as majestic as you’d expect, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Pretty? Yes. Bucket-list essential? Not really.
