What other travelers are saying about Nagoya Castle
Veritably beautiful castle in the he❤️rt of Nagoya! We've had a lovely time walking in the serene castle grounds in perfect weather!
The symbol of Nagoya Castle is the golden Shachihoko tiger-fish ornaments adorning the roof of the massive tower keep. A pity the main castle tower is closed due to reno but we can still do the tour of Hanomaru Palace (entry till 4pm) and check out the outer part of the castle at a leisurely pace.
Nagoya Castle is the city's most famous landmark for Hanami 花見 "Flower Viewing". Be it early or in full bloom, the blossoms of Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) and Ume (Plum Blossoms) never fail to captivate camera-happy sightseers (locals or visitors alike) with their subtle shades of pink splendor. Oh yes, there's a pair of Sika deer🦌🦌 grazing in the dried up moat.
Overall a delightful, well-maintained place to explore and experience the Edo period. Of course, the souvenir store and soft-serve stand are not to be skipped!
It's 22 April 2025 at 16:30 and there are no cherry blossoms in front of the Nagoya Castle. We arrived at 16:15 and we were informed by staff that the castle closes at 17:00 but we could not go up the castle. It's a short leisurely walk around the castle though.
Very good place to visit. The main entrance has three ticket counters but only the right most one takes credit card. The others only cash.
The main building is closed to public.
But there is a big restored complex in the middle that can be visited with impressive wood and art work.
There is two more places to visit (bath and south tower) but they are easy to miss and if found bring some time as there is limited visitors allowed at once
There is also free guides and free performances
Nagoya Castle, one of Nagoya’s most popular sightseeing attractions, has scenic gardens and walkways that are particularly beautiful during the spring season. The main castle has been undergoing renovations for a few years now, restricting access to its entry. However, the Hommaru palace remains open to the public for viewing.
As of January 2025, you still cannot enter the castle due to renovations so please keep that in mind. However you’re still able to walk around the castle and also enter the living quarters which is really nice and well maintained.
I visited on a Saturday in the afternoon around 3pm and though it was crowded, was well managed. I think it was also great timing as I got to see the sunset which bounced off the castle walls which was gorgeous. But if you wanna avoid big crowds, I’d suggest coming on weekdays.
Lastly there’s a great matcha ice cream stand near the castle; single soft serve was ¥500 but delicious and good value.
