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Nagoya Castle is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious and significant attractions in Nagoya City, so if you’re exploring Nagoya, it is essential that you include a visit to the castle in your itinerary. However, there are some important things that you need to know before you go in 2025.
We visited Nagoya Castle a couple of times without our own kids. As a full-time travel blogging family, one of our priorities was to find the best photo spots (so we will share a few photo tips and locations in this article). We have packed this article with plenty of helpful information, top tips, and advice. Careful planning and preparation is the key to successful travel (and this is especially true in Japan!)
GET ORGANIZED – It’s always best to be shown around by a local. Book your This Nagoya Day Tour on Get Your Guide – it includes Nagoya Castle, The Sakae District and the Osu Shopping area.
GET PREPARED – Don’t miss the in-depth guide Nagoya – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
What is the cultural and historic significance of Nagoya Castle?
As a full time worldschooling family we LOVE to visit sites of cultural and historic significance, this helps us connect and understand the places we are exploring – and what better classroom than a real castle?
Nagoya Castle has a rich historical and cultural significance. Built in the early 17th century by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu (a prominent shogun) this castle played a crucial role in the unification and governance of Japan. Its strategic location helped protect the vital Tokaido road, a key route connecting the then-capital Kyoto with Edo (which is modern-day Tokyo). The castle’s construction marked the beginning of Nagoya’s transformation into a significant political and economic center during the Edo period.
Culturally, Nagoya Castle is packed with traditional Japanese architecture and art. Its iconic golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-headed carp) adorn the roof of the castle. They symbolise protection against fire and disasters. Inside, the ornate palace rooms you can see beautiful paintings and intricate woodwork that reflect the artistic excellence of the time.
Nagoya Castle Visitor’s Map
Here is a super helpful map of the best spots around the castle. TOP TIP – Click on the pins for more information..
How much does it cost to visit Nagoya Castle?
Although Japan is a relatively expensive country, attractions like Nagoya Castle are often surprisingly cheap. If you go independently and purchase your ticket at the ticket office on arrival, the price is 500 yen for an adult ticket (roughly £2.50 or $3).
Children (junior high school and under) are free. Junior high is normally up to 15 years old (so kids 16 and older need to pay).
What is the best time to visit Nagoya Castle?
Nagoya Castle is open 7 days a week throughout the year. The best time of year to visit is early April (during the peak of the blossom season). However, if you do plan to visit in April, remember that this is a particularly busy season. It is important to book your accommodation nice and early in Japan, especially if you’re traveling during blossom season.
LEARN MORE – The Best Places to see Blossom in Nagoya
If possible, we recommend arriving first thing in the morning in order to enjoy the area with the least crowds. Opening hours are 9:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, with the last entry at 7:30 pm.
Top tip: Although Nagoya Castle can get very busy, the castle grounds are very large and they absorb the crowds well. So don’t worry if you are not able to make it first thing in the morning. During busy periods, you may have to queue longer to visit Hommaru Palace.
Can you take a guided tour of Nagoya Castle?
Yes, there are a few ways to take a guided tour of Nagoya Castle. For example, you can book a tour online in advance. Get Your Guide and KLOOK are both great for Japan tours. Here are two great options for visiting Nagoya Castle. Both tours include the castle AND other attractions around Nagoya. Both tours allow you to experience local life & culture with a local guide. Both are a similar price (around $130) and both are private tours:
BOOK IT ON KLOOK – Flexible 4 hour private day tour (can include the Castle & other attractions)
GET YOUR GUIDE – Fun Full-Day tour Includes the Castle, Sakae District & Osu Shopping area
Alternatively, there is a daily FREE English-speaking guided tour from the main gate and East Gate at 12:30 pm.
What are the facilities like at Nagoya Castle?
Japan has a well-earned reputation for impeccable and well-designed facilities. Nagoya Castle is no exception. They have coin lockers available near the entrance for 200 yen (suitable for small and large bags). There are also free guide leaflets available in a range of languages. You can also find public toilets and food kiosks available in the Nagoya Castle grounds (to the south of the main castle).
What is the best way to get to Nagoya Castle?
Subway is the cheapest and most convenient way to travel around Nagoya City. The subway system connects all of the main areas and districts of the city. The Castle East Entrance is 5 minutes north of Nagoyajo subway station (exit 7). Most subway tickets in Nagoya range in price between 200 and 400 yen, depending on the distance. All you need to do is find a self-service ticket machine at the station and then look at the map. The map will tell you how much you need to pay. You can select the correct amount in the vending machine and pay. The vending machine will give you a ticket that you can use in the automated ticket gate. Using the Japanese subway system may seem a little bit overwhelming; however, it is actually quite user-friendly and straightforward (even as a foreigner!).
What can you see and do at Nagoya Castle?
In this section, we will share some of the highlights of Nagoya Castle to help you plan your visit.
1 Main Castle Tower
The castle tower is inevitably the main attraction at Nagoya Castle. It is possible to walk all the way around the path around the main castle tower. However, the main castle tower has been closed since May 2018, so it is not possible to enter the tower itself.
2 Hommaru Palace
This is the only indoor part of the castle that you are able to explore. This is included in the entry ticket. You will need to join a queue if you hope to explore the palace. You generally need to wait 15 or 20 minutes, depending on how busy it is.
3 Traditional Japanese Tea House
This one was one of our highlights. Make sure that you don’t miss the traditional Japanese tea house in the Ni-no-maru garden (close to the East Gate). We highly recommend the matcha tea (only 600 yen with a traditional Japanese sweet).
4 Special Performances
If you are visiting Nagoya Castle, why not make the most of the free special performances? You can watch special ninja and samurai shows each day at 10-11 am, 12-1 pm, and 2-4 pm. If you miss one of the special performances, watch out for pop-up street performers. Unfortunately, when we visited, one of the performers used a trained monkey, which was a little bit sad, but the other performance was a highly skilled artist balancing precariously on plastic tubes.
Where are the best photo spots at Nagoya Castle?
1 The foundation stones
One of the best photo spots at Nagoya Castle can be found at the Foundation Stones to the northeast of the main Castle building. In this area you can get some nice photos of cherry blossom branches and the castle in the background.
This is also a great spot for kids to play. We enjoyed a lot of happy family time in this area with our energetic boys bouncing between stones.
2 Courtyard by Hommaru palace
This is a popular and busy photos spot. You can get an impressive castle view – the shape of this yard allows you to stand further back and get some unobstructed distant castle shots. There is a professional photographer in this area (1,200 yen or £6 or $8) – they use a screen to get a nice clear shot with the castle in the background.
3 Near the Museum (northwest corner of the castle)
There is an excellent (and often missed) photo-spot to the northwest corner of the castle. There is a small cherry blossom tree at this location and you can get some nice shots of the castle and blossom. Also because this is a less popular spot, it is easier to get a nice clear photo here without crowds in the background.
4 Small mound to the east of the castle
There is a small muddy mound to the east of the castle. The extra height gives you better views of the castle – and there are also a few blossom trees in the area too! This spot can get crowded at times – but many people also miss this spot so you have a good chance of a quiet spot for photos here if you get the right time.
WANT TO EXPLORE MORE? – Don’t miss our comprehensive In-depth Free Self-guided Walking Tour of Nagoya
