Nagoya , Japan

Nagoya Castle , Japan

Attraction of Castle

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle is one of the former Tokugawa Castles. It was constructed on the orders of Ieyasu TOKUGAWA in order to secure an important position on the Tokaido highway and to ward off attacks from the direction of Osaka. Construction was completed in 1612, and the castle is typical of those built on flatlands. The best-known items associated with the Nagoya Castle are the golden dolphins, or kinshachi.

Inside the Nagoya Castle

Outside Nagoya Castle

Golden Dolphin or Kinshachi

It is said that the first dolphins (shachi) to adorn the main ridge of castle roofs, added when the basic construction of the castle was completed, appeared in the Muromachi Era (1334-1400) as symbol of the feudal lord’s authority.

Although Nagoya’s golden dolphins shared the fate of the dungeon, being consumed by flames in the Second World War, they reappeared along with a rebuilt dungeon, in 1959, to the delight of the people of Nagoya.

Observing the reconstruction of the palace buildings at Nagoya Castle

Unfortunately, the Honmaru Pala was destroyed in WWII however, three of the gates and many of the castle's treasures were spared, so remnants of the original still exist. The honmaru was rebuilt in 1959. When I went, they were rebuilding the Honmaru Palace so I could see how they built parts of the castle. The reconstruction of the palace buildings (to be completed by 2018) and the renovation of one of the castle turrets (to be completed in 2014) had a small impact on the visit. While a crane over the turret did not contribute positively to the atmosphere, the reconstruction of the palace is done in such a way that visitors are able to observe some of the works.

Promotional 3d film about Honmaru Palace

On the first floor you can have a short 3D promotional film about Honmaru Palace a part of which will be opened on May 29, 2013. 

Full bloom at Nagoya Castle

Cherry trees around Nagoya Castle have reached full bloom, and some have even started to drop some of their petals. They were at their best today and should remain so for a few days to come.

Obon dancing at Nagoya castle. The central stage houses the musicians and from time to time, different people are invited up on stage to dance there.

The Obon festival is characterized by Obon dances, which are called Bon Odori (盆踊り). The dancers gather around a central stage and perform circular dances while moving around the stage. Compared to some Western dances, the Obon dances seem very slow and subdued. But once you give it a try, it is a wonderful feeling to share in the group atmosphere and to do the dances together.

The colourful crowd in yukata is so beautiful!

Apart from delicious festival food and lots of people wearing yukata. Anyone can join in: there are many elderly ladies, but also lots of young people. Even clumsy gaijin like me are welcome to join. 

There are big Obon events like the one at Nagoya Castle but Obon is also celebrated on a smaller scale in local neighbourhoods. When we were wandering around Muroran, a small city in Hokkaido, on an evening in August, we saw this local Obon gathering on a neighbourhood square.

This was a small, local community celebration in Muroran, Hokkaido. There weren’t any booths with festival food. Instead there were some tables where people placed their homemade food, sharing between everyone.