Tokugawa-en garden and the castle

A guide takes you round Tokugawa-en, the Owari lords' strolling garden with its pond, waterfall and stone lanterns, and on the longer option through Nagoya Castle first. It is the gentlest way to see the castle's family history: more water and maples than crowds.

About this experience

DeepExperience sells two versions under one listing. The short one is Tokugawa-en only: a guided walk with the garden admission included, starting at the Kuromon, the black wooden gate at the garden entrance. The longer one adds about 1.5 hours at Nagoya Castle first, then an hour in the garden; that option starts at the FamilyMart in the Nagoya City Hall West Building near the castle and includes the castle ticket. The guide speaks English.

Tokugawa-en was laid out in 1695 as the retirement villa of Mitsutomo, the second Owari lord. War destroyed most of it, and it reopened as a Japanese strolling garden in 2004. The centre is the Ryusenko pond, fed by a waterfall, with stone lanterns and bridges around it. Peonies bloom around April, irises in June, maples from late November. The garden's own site posts the seasons, and the Tokugawa Art Museum is next door.

Food, drinks and transport aren't included. On the castle option, ask how you get from the castle to the garden, about 3 km apart, and whether the fare is yours. The listing has two reviews, both five stars.

Tokugawa-en with a guide, admission included
The castle and palace as an add-on, ticket included in that option
A quiet garden, seldom crowded
Seasonal peonies, irises and autumn maples
Next door to the Tokugawa Art Museum

How the day runs

Castle optionMeet near City Hall
The FamilyMart in the Nagoya City Hall West Building, near Nagoyajo Station.
About 1.5 hoursNagoya Castle
The grounds and the palace, ticket included in this option.
Garden onlyMeet at the Kuromon
The black gate at the entrance to Tokugawa-en.
About 1 hourTokugawa-en
Round the Ryusenko pond, the waterfall and the stone lanterns with your guide.

What's included

Included

English-speaking guide
Tokugawa-en admission
Nagoya Castle admission (castle option only)

Not included

Food and drinks
Transport
Castle admission on the garden-only option
Entry to the castle keep (closed)

Who it suits

Book it if

You prefer gardens to crowds
You're visiting in autumn or peony season
You want the castle and something calmer in one outing
You plan to visit the Tokugawa Art Museum next door

Skip it if

You want food on the tour: the castle and food walk has a tasting
You want armour and swords: see the Tokugawa Art Museum tour
Your day is a Monday: Tokugawa-en usually closes on Mondays
You want a private guide

Tips before you book

Pick the right meeting point. The castle option and the garden option start in different places.
Tokugawa-en is usually closed on Mondays. Check the garden's calendar.
Late November is the best month for maples here. April brings the peonies.
Doing the garden on your own later? Nagoya Castle sells a combined castle and Tokugawa-en ticket for 1,040 yen, cash only.
Leave time for the Tokugawa Art Museum next door. It needs an hour or more.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the two options?

The garden option is a guided walk round Tokugawa-en, admission included, from the Kuromon gate. The castle option adds about 1.5 hours at Nagoya Castle with the ticket, then an hour in the garden, and starts at the FamilyMart in the City Hall West Building.

Is the Nagoya Castle ticket included?

Only in the castle option. On the garden-only option you would pay 1,000 yen at the castle gate if you go later.

What is Tokugawa-en?

The garden of the Owari Tokugawa family's retirement villa, laid out in 1695 and reopened as a strolling garden in 2004. It sits about 3 km east of the castle, next to the Tokugawa Art Museum.

Is transport between the castle and the garden included?

No. Food, drinks and transport are excluded, so expect to pay a bus or subway fare on the castle option.

Ready to book

Book Tokugawa garden and castle

A guided walk through Tokugawa-en garden, with Nagoya Castle and its ticket as an optional add-on.

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