Nagoya Castle's Outer Grounds: Five Spots Along the Moat
Along the inner moat of Nagoya Castle lie hidden historical sites that cannot be accessed from inside the grounds. Remnants like the Ninomaru Minami-yagura, Tsukimi-yagura, and the expansive Ofuke Moat tell the story of the castle’s defensive design and the daily life of its former inhabitants. Take a peaceful walk around the outer moat and experience the castle from a whole new perspective.
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5 Spots in the Outer Grounds
From the Ninomaru Minami-yagura Ruins to the Ōte Ninomon Gate, these five sites are spread across a roughly 3- to 15-minute walk from one another. Each spot's highlights, visit time, access notes, and trivia are available by tapping "Open Details" on its card.
Ninomaru Minami-yagura Ruins
The Ninomaru Minami-yagura Ruins are located in the southwestern corner of the Ninomaru compound. The term "Minami" (south) indicates the direction, signifying that the turret once stood in the southwest corner for strategic defense purposes.
Although the original structure was lost to war damage and urban development during the Meiji era, remnants of the stone foundations remain, offering a glimpse into Edo-period fortification.
- Stonework Foundations: Observe the remaining base stones and imagine the former turret's structure.
- Lush Surroundings: The greenery-rich paths create a tranquil atmosphere.
- Seasonal Views: Cherry blossoms bloom beautifully here in spring.
Recommended visit time: Quick visit ~3 minutes / In-depth visit ~10 minutes
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture – Within Nagoya Castle Grounds
Access: Approx. 3-minute walk (270m) from the Imperial Gift Stone Monument
Trivia- Historical Function: This turret was critical for defending the castle’s west flank.
- Hidden Gem: While the turret no longer stands, the stone foundations attract dedicated history buffs.
- Famous Figures: Part of the original castle plan commissioned by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Tsukimi-yagura Ruins
The Tsukimi-yagura (Moon Viewing Turret) once stood at the northwest corner of the Ninomaru area. True to its name, it served not just for defense but also as a place for moon gazing, blending military function with elegance.
Destroyed in the 1945 air raids, only the stone base remains today.
- Stone Base Remains: Offers insight into the craftsmanship of castle builders.
- Scenic Walkways: Surrounded by green trails ideal for strolling.
- Seasonal Views: Cherry blossoms enhance the landscape in spring.
Recommended visit time: Quick visit ~3 minutes / In-depth visit ~10 minutes
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture – Within Nagoya Castle Grounds
Access: Approx. 2-minute walk (140m) from the Minami-yagura site
Trivia- Cultural Function: Uniquely designed to also serve as a leisure space for moon viewing.
- Hidden Spot: A peaceful and often-overlooked stop for visitors.
- Famous Figures: Part of the castle complex planned under Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Ofuke Moat Ofuke Ōhori
Located on the north side of Nagoya Castle, the Ofuke Moat was a massive defensive water feature. Not only did it deter intruders, but it also served as an emergency escape route for the feudal lord via a secret gate (Uzumi Gate), leading to a dry moat and onto boats crossing the Ofuke Moat.
The area once featured the grand Ofuke Garden with a large lotus pond covering the southern half.
- Panoramic Moat Views: Feel the scale and defensive significance of the moat.
- Uzumi Gate Remains: Learn about the secretive escape routes built into the castle design.
- Seasonal Views: Cherry blossoms reflected on the water surface create a serene spectacle.
Recommended visit time: Quick visit ~3 minutes / In-depth visit ~15 minutes
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture – Ofuke Moat Area
Access: Approx. 7-minute walk (550m) from Tsukimi-yagura
Trivia- Survival Route: Planned as a strategic escape path for the castle lord.
- Local Life: Once flanked by dyeing factories and fishing spots for locals.
- Strategic Asset: An essential piece of Nagoya Castle’s outer defense system.
Statue of Katō Kiyomasa by Shizuo Takafuji
This bronze statue honors Katō Kiyomasa, a famed warlord and master castle architect who played a major role in constructing Nagoya Castle. It was created in 1979 by renowned Nagoya-born sculptor Shizuo Takafuji, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Kagome Co., Ltd., which donated the statue to the city.
- Dramatic Pose: Captures Kiyomasa carrying a massive stone, symbolizing his construction prowess.
- Nearby Theater: Located beside the elegant Nagoya Noh Theater.
- Seasonal Views: Surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.
Recommended visit time: Quick visit ~5 minutes / In-depth visit ~15 minutes
Address: 1-1 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya City – South of Nagoya Noh Theater
Access: Approx. 15-minute walk (1.1 km) from Ofuke Moat
Trivia- Corporate Patronage: Donated by Kagome in honor of its 80th anniversary.
- Artist’s Legacy: Other statues by Takafuji of Katō Kiyomasa also exist, including one at Kumamoto Castle.
- Historical Importance: Kiyomasa was a chief architect of many Japanese castles, including Nagoya.
Ōte Ninomon Gate Nishitetsumon
Also known as the Nishitetsu Gate, the Ōte Ninomon served as the outer gate of the main Ninomaru entrance, paired with the now-lost Ōte Ichinomon. Built around 1612 in the Kōraimon architectural style, it was a key access point between the Sannomaru and Ninomaru areas.
In 1975, it was designated an Important Cultural Property and remains one of the few original Nagoya Castle structures.
- Architectural Form: Observe the classic Kōraimon-style design.
- Cultural Insight: Learn about Edo-period gate construction and function.
- Seasonal Views: Blossoming cherry trees complement the gate beautifully in spring.
Recommended visit time: Quick visit ~3 minutes / In-depth visit ~15 minutes
Address: Ninomaru 1, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Access: Approx. 7-minute walk (500m) from the Katō Kiyomasa Statue
Trivia- Bustling Past: Once the main gateway for traffic between Sannomaru and Ninomaru.
- Rare Legacy: Among the few surviving structures from the castle’s original construction.
- Famous Figures: Integral to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s grand vision for Nagoya Castle.
A personal ranking based on repeated on-site visits by the Following the Shogun team (most recently June 2026). This is our own judgment, not the castle's official recommendation.
A surviving kōraimon-style gate completed around 1612, and the most significant structure in the outer grounds. It stood on the west side of the Ninomaru, forming a masugata defensive courtyard together with the inner Ōte Ichinomon Gate, which no longer exists.
A bronze cast in 1979 — not a historical relic, but an easy and legible photo stop. It was made by the Nagoya-born sculptor Shizuo Takafuji and donated to the city by the Kagome Company.
The broad water moat along the castle's northern side, where you can take in the sheer scale of the defences. In an emergency the lord was to descend from the Uzumi Gate in the Ninomaru Garden into the dry moat and cross this water by boat — the other half of the story told at the Uzumimon Remains in Ninomaru Area Vol. 3.
Both burned in the 1945 air raids and only their stone bases remain. The Tsukimi ("moon-viewing") Turret has a nice origin — it served for moon-viewing as well as defence — but what you see on site is stonework.
Nagoya Castle Guide Full Map
Nagoya Castle: Hours, Admission & Access
| Hours | 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (last entry to Honmaru Palace 4:00 pm) |
|---|---|
| Closed | December 29 – January 1 |
| Admission | Adults ¥500 (through September 30, 2026) / ¥1,000 (from October 1, 2026) Free for junior-high age and under, before and after the change Verified August 23, 2026. The increase was approved by the Nagoya City Council. Tickets bought before the change date remain valid afterwards. |
| Nearest station | Nagoya Castle Station (Meijo subway line), about a 5-minute walk |
Please check the official Nagoya Castle website for the latest hours and fees before you visit.
Note: The Ninomaru Minami-yagura Ruins, Tsukimi-yagura Ruins, and Ofuke Moat described on this page are viewed from outside the paid enclosure, without entering the grounds. The hours and admission fee above apply to entry into the paid area, including Honmaru Palace.
Why was Nagoya Castle built? Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, ordered the castle rebuilt in November 1609; construction began in January 1610 and the main keep was completed in December 1612. It became the seat of the Owari Tokugawa family, the senior-most of the three Tokugawa branch houses (the Gosanke), and one of the most important castle towns in Japan.
FAQ
The Ōte Ninomon Gate was completed around 1612 (Keichō 17) in the Kōraimon style and was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1975 (Shōwa 50). It is one of the few surviving structures from the castle's original construction.
Along the inner moat are ruins like the Ninomaru Minami-yagura, Tsukimi-yagura, and the Ofuke Moat, none of which can be entered from inside the paid grounds. A short walk further, near Sannomaru and Ninomaru, you'll also find the Statue of Katō Kiyomasa and the Ōte Ninomon Gate.
No — at both sites, the original turret buildings are gone and only portions of the stone foundations remain. The Tsukimi-yagura was destroyed in the 1945 air raids on Nagoya.
Nagoya Castle is open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (last entry to Honmaru Palace at 4:00 pm), closed December 29 through January 1. Adult admission is currently ¥500, rising to ¥1,000 from October 2026. The nearest station is Nagoya Castle Station on the Meijo subway line, about a 5-minute walk. The sites in this Outer Grounds guide, however, are viewed from outside that paid enclosure.
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