Nagoya Castle: The Golden Shachi, the 1945 Loss, and Rebuilding

Updated October 24, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

Nagoya Castle is known for the golden shachi on its topmost roof. Its story includes a long Edo-period history, a devastating loss in 1945, and a careful reconstruction. This guide uses Wikipedia's article on Nagoya Castle to share what is known and offers practical tips for visiting. Hours, fees, and access arrangements change, so check the official website before you go. The page we reviewed does not give opening hours or the castle's overall height, so we do not state them.

Where It Is and When It Was Built

Wikipedia describes Nagoya Castle as a Japanese castle located in Nagoya. The article says it was constructed by the Owari Domain in 1612 during the Edo period, and the infobox lists a building period of 1610 to 1619. Two figures appear on the page, so when you see a single year quoted elsewhere, keep in mind that sources may differ in how they describe the building period.

The Owari Tokugawa

The article describes the Owari branch as the foremost of the three Tokugawa clan lineages, and says it resided at the castle. That puts the castle in the center of the political world of the Edo period. It was not only a defensive structure but also a seat of power.

The Golden Shachi

According to Wikipedia, there are two golden shachi, called kinshachi, on either end of the topmost castle roof. The article gives the male shachi's height as 2.621 meters, or 8 feet 7.2 inches. Visitors often look for the shachi from a distance, so the grounds give a good chance to appreciate them from different angles. Use a zoom lens if you want to photograph them, and avoid stepping off paths.

The Loss in 1945

The article states that on May 14, 1945, the main keep, small keep, golden shachi, Honmaru Palace, and other buildings were completely destroyed in air raids. It describes the aerial bombardments of Nagoya as bringing the most destruction to the castle in its entire history. This is a sobering part of the story. Remembering it helps explain why what you see today is a reconstruction.

Rebuilding

Wikipedia says that on October 3, 1959, reconstruction of the two keeps was completed, and the buildings were opened to the public. It also says the Honmaru Palace was rebuilt using original methods and materials and reopened to the public in 2018. These details show that the castle has been rebuilt in stages. If you visit, you can think about the difference between an original structure and a reconstruction, and what each tells us about memory and craft.

Spring Blooms

The article notes that in spring, Japanese cherry, wisteria, camellia, and peony bloom. If you plan a visit in spring, check flowering forecasts and the castle's schedule. Our article on planning a flexible cherry blossom trip explains how to handle timing uncertainty.

Planning Your Visit

1. Check the official site for opening hours, fees, and any closures.

2. Wear comfortable shoes, since the grounds are large.

3. Bring water and sun protection in warm weather.

4. Prepare for crowds on weekends and holidays.

5. Allow time for the palace and the keep, rather than rushing.

6. Look at the weather forecast, because much of the visit is outdoors.

7. Keep a spare layer, since wind can make the grounds feel cooler.

Tea Houses

The article says the Kinjo-en tea houses area is open to the public only twice a year. If this interests you, check the official schedule well in advance, because access is limited. Do not assume it will be open on the day you visit.

Etiquette

• Follow signs, routes, and staff instructions.

• Do not touch decorations or walls.

• Remove shoes where required.

• Keep your voice low indoors.

• Be careful with photography, and respect restricted areas.

• Take your trash with you.

• Do not climb on stone walls or barriers.

Thinking About Reconstructions

Many of Japan's castles have been rebuilt, and each reconstruction raises questions. Is a rebuilt keep still a historic site? What matters more, the original materials or the continuity of craft? There are no simple answers, but pondering them can enrich a visit. Our article on Matsumoto Castle provides a helpful contrast, since Wikipedia describes it as having original wooden interiors. Himeji Castle, for example, was registered on 11 December 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan.

A Slow Way to See the Grounds

Rather than heading straight for the keep, consider walking the grounds in a loop first. Notice how the walls and open spaces frame the buildings, and how the keep appears and disappears as you move. Then enter the buildings with a sense of the setting. This approach tends to make the interiors feel like part of a whole, and it helps you spread your energy across the visit instead of spending it all in the first hour.

Founding and Early Work

Wikipedia says the Owari Domain built the castle in 1612 on the site of an earlier Oda clan castle, though the infobox gives a build period of 1610 to 1619, so dates differ within the page. It says that in November 1609, Tokugawa Ieyasu decided to rebuild the castle at Nagoya, that work began in January 1610 when the site was roped off and about 20 feudal lords were assigned to help, and that the stone foundation of the main keep was completed in August 1610. Construction of the Honmaru Palace began in mid-1612 and the palace was finished in February 1615.

The Golden Shachi

The page says the male golden shachi is 2.621 m tall and weighs 1,272 kg, and the female is 2.579 m tall and weighs 1,215 kg. It says the golden shachi is said to have used about 17,975 ryo of gold, a figure the page introduces with the words it is said. Treat gold quantities as claims and not as measured facts.

Destruction and Rebuilding

According to the article, on 14 May 1945, air raids completely destroyed the main keep, small keep, golden shachi, and Honmaru Palace. Reconstruction of the two keeps started in 1957 and was completed on October 3, 1959, using modern materials such as steel beams and concrete. Reconstruction of the Honmaru Palace began in 2009 and was completed by 2018, and the page says the palace has over 30 rooms and covers an area of 3,100 square metres. The page also says the city planned to rebuild the main tower in wood. Plans like these can change, so check the castle's official website for the current status of the keep and any access limits.

Reading a Reconstruction

A reconstructed castle can still tell a story. Look for information boards that explain what was lost, what was copied, and what was rebuilt using modern methods. Notice the contrast between the older stone foundations and the newer structures. Ask yourself what a reconstruction can and cannot preserve, and enjoy the sense of continuity it offers.

Visiting Practicalities

Allow time for the grounds, and wear comfortable shoes. Carry water and a hat in warm weather, and take breaks in shade. Follow rules about where to walk, keep off walls and barriers, and avoid touching displays. If you plan to see the palace interior, check opening hours and any rules about bags and shoes. Keep your voice low, be patient in queues, and take photographs only where they are allowed.

Questions People Ask

When was Nagoya Castle built? In 1612 according to the text, with an infobox range of 1610 to 1619.

What are the golden shachi? Two golden ornaments called kinshachi on either end of the topmost roof.

What happened in 1945? The keeps, golden shachi, Honmaru Palace, and other buildings were destroyed in air raids on May 14.

When was the keep reconstructed? Reconstruction of the two keeps was completed on October 3, 1959.

When did the Honmaru Palace reopen? In 2018, rebuilt using original methods and materials.

A Castle Rebuilt With Care

Nagoya Castle is a reminder that places can be lost and recovered through effort. Visit with attention, and you may notice the care that went into the rebuilding.

Keep Exploring

Tokyo Paul's Japan Photography Book Stunning Photos of Japanese Cityscapes, Shrines, Festivals & Nature is described on Amazon as a collection of pictures of those subjects from the author's YouTube Japan walks, with locations clearly labeled. See the book on Amazon

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Further Reading

• Wikipedia: Nagoya Castle

• Wikipedia: Himeji Castle