See the listing · Nagoya Castle and Higashi Ward
This tour pairs Nagoya Castle with the Tokugawa Art Museum, where the Owari Tokugawa lords' own swords, armour and scrolls are kept. Pick it if the empty keep leaves you wanting the objects that once filled the castle.
The listing is young, with one review so far, and its title is most of what it tells you: Nagoya Castle, samurai history and the Tokugawa Art Museum in 3.5 hours. Read the inclusions for the meeting point, the format and the two admission tickets before you book. The two sights are well worth the pairing, and they explain each other.
At the castle you get the Honmaru Palace, the Owari Tokugawa lords' residence, rebuilt with Kiso cypress and copies of the original paintings, and the 1610 stone walls. The keep is closed, and has been since May 2018. The Tokugawa Art Museum sits about 3 km east, next to Tokugawa-en garden, and holds what the family owned: more than 10,000 items, among them 9 National Treasures and over 500 swords. Its best-known piece is the 12th-century Tale of Genji illustrated scrolls, the oldest surviving illustrated narrative scroll in Japan, shown only for short periods each year. The Hatsune lacquer wedding set is another National Treasure. The core of the collection came to Tokugawa Yoshinao, the castle's first lord, from his father Ieyasu.
If the tickets aren't included, the castle costs 1,000 yen and the museum's collection display 1,600 yen for adults on its own calendar (special exhibitions can cost more). The museum is closed on most Mondays.
The listing and your confirmation give where and when you start.
The stone walls, the turrets and the Honmaru Palace, with the samurai history behind them.
The museum is about 3 km from the castle. Check the listing for how you get there.
Armour, swords, tea utensils and lacquer from the Owari Tokugawa collection.
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Check the inclusions on the listing. If they are not included, adults pay 1,000 yen at Nagoya Castle and 1,600 yen for the Tokugawa Art Museum's collection display.
The heirlooms of the Owari Tokugawa family, who ruled from Nagoya Castle: armour, more than 500 swords, tea utensils, lacquer and paintings, over 10,000 items in all, with 9 National Treasures. The Tale of Genji scrolls are the most famous.
Only if your visit falls in one of their short display periods. The rest of the year, the museum shows other parts of the collection.
About 3 km east, in Higashi Ward, next to Tokugawa-en garden.
Ready to book
The castle, then the Owari Tokugawa family's swords, armour and scrolls at the Tokugawa Art Museum.
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